It started like the common cold, constantly blowing my nose and taking paracetamol to tame the headache. Later, it developed into vicious migraines, sometimes taking my breath, so I struggled to breathe. I am fully vaccinated, I have even had the booster, yet for four to five days, I isolated myself from my family; this proved rather difficult as our house isn’t relatively big. There is only one bathroom between four people, and all of us have a busy schedule. It’s rather strange wearing a mask in your own home to get some water, and I remember debating to myself whether I was being silly or not. Now that I am back to normality, I understand that it made sense whilst it was admittedly silly.
I wasn’t able to do anything without my mum there. In some cases, it felt like a holiday, having an excuse not to go to work (where I am adamant I got Covid from). When I wanted something so trivial and insignificant, like a glass of water. I asked my mum. I felt so bad, but she didn’t care as it was crucially important that someone in the house earned money. It was an odd system, but it worked. I thanked my mum massively; I understand why she helped me in isolation, as it was predominantly to protect the houses primary source of income from the virus.
When asking her why she felt the need to look after me even though I am 20 years old and have lived by myself before, her responses were flippant, suggesting that it was a silly question.
“It is your job as a mother to care for your children, regardless of how old they are.”
She’s not wrong, as whilst I understood that I wanted to protect other family members, it felt unfair to make her do everything. She would make my lunch when I would usually do it myself, and when it came round to dinner time, she would leave a tray with my dinner at the door, and it was all because I shouldn’t leave my room. Some days where I was really unwell my door was open at all times, just so I had someone to speak to.
“I was not worried as whilst I have had Covid before, it was when it all started and we weren’t exactly sure how to behave. I do think that the jabs make a difference because you weren’t as ill in comparison to me.”
She was ill in February, at the very start of the pandemic. She lost her taste and struggled to swallow food; it was like an extreme version of the common cold. I helped the best I could, mostly on tea duty, but she wanted me to stay away from her most of the time because we were all worried about what this virus could develop into. I could have looked after myself, but she took it upon herself to make sure I was okay, opening my door asking if there was anything I needed. I am incredibly grateful.
