Well, it finally happened to us. Adele and I tested positive for Covid-19 a couple of days ago, and we have been quarantining and taking the prescribed treatment, Paxlovid, since. So there it is, even after receiving the two initial vaccinations followed by two boosters, as it turns out, we could not elude this nasty disease. All through the worst of the pandemic we followed all of the CDC advice, wore our masks, kept our distance, and went unscathed. But there is a newly evolved, highly transmissible variant, BA.2.86,  currently making the rounds, and our previous vaccines offer only a little protection from it. But even some protection is better than none especially when it comes to Covid-19. When the new vaccine becomes available, we plan to take it. How did we catch it? The likelihood is that we became infected during our recent travel back to Connecticut about two weeks ago.

So we have now joined the latest crop of Covid-19 victims, and are suffering the familiar respiratory symptoms associated with it. While we feel miserable, we are, nevertheless, both quite grateful and fortunate that, at our ages, we have been spared the devastating effects of the disease that has tormented and taken the lives of so many unfortunate souls. Our neighbors have been quick to look in on us and generously offer their help. And with the prayers of our relatives and friends, we will get through this painful period.

The moral of this story: the pandemic might be over, but Covid-19 still lurks about, evolving new forms, looking for new hosts. The best defense against this nasty culprit: maintain a healthy lifestyle, and when the need arises, follow sound medical advice. Above all, be sensible and inform yourself properly about the virus from trustworthy sources. Avoid nonsense, rumors, and the wrong-headed malarkey purveyed by self-styled “medical experts” on social media. Here’s wishing you continued good health.