Elder Son called last night to tell us he had COVID. He had felt hot at work yesterday and took his temperature, which was normal. But he kept feeling hot, then tired, and eventually had a nurse take his temp with an oral thermometer — more accurate than the light beam at the forehead — and it was 100.4. Swabs revealed he was negative for influenza and positive for COVID. He has no major underlying health conditions, thank FSM.
He is quarantined at home in the bedroom that has its own bath. No computer to keep himself amused, but he has his iPad. He is using this time off to read the FDA material released yesterday about the upcoming vaccine approval, which he will summarize for the medical staff. He plans to watch the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) public meeting on Thursday.
He didn’t sound too worried about himself, being a stoic Scandinavian like his mom and dad. He did all the usual pre-death things like updating the beneficiary on his retirement account and getting his medical power of attorney set up months ago in anticipation of getting sick. Girlfriend will get tested on Friday; we all hope she is not sick, too.
I am trying to decide if this is more upsetting than in 2004 when I picked up his message on the answering machine saying that he was standing in the middle of Broadway (NYC) waiting to be arrested. Or when he told us in 2005 about being robbed at knife-point in Durban, South Africa. This is more serious.
Ironically, the medical staff would have gotten vaccinated with the new vaccine next week.
Edited to add: ES reports that he slept ten hours last night and feels much better today, Wednesday. He has always been a good sleeper. And rest is an important factor in healing.
kmkat & her kneedles 
I have sent Andrew a message on his facebook. I will be praying for him for a speedy recovery. Sounds like he plans to work through this entire time off!
I’m not a religious person but I send all the positive juju I have. Hoping for the best recovery.
I’m sorry to hear this and hope he makes a full and speedy recovery. Our daughter and her fiance had it right before Thanksgiving and I agree that it’s scary news to get.
Oh, that’s such scary news! I’m wishing all the best for him and his family – including you and Smokey, too. Hang in there, worried mama.
Wishing him a speedy recovery! Sounds like he knows what he is doing. Sorry for your worries.
I don’t know what to say. Know that I’m thinking about you all.
Ugh, I hope he recovers quickly and that his girlfriend doesn’t have it. Sending you all happy thoughts.
Thinking of you and wishing Andrew well. Just learned my eldest son had covid this summer. Granddaughter did an oops. Promised he would never know I knew. Evidently it worked out okay.
Oh, crum. It sounds like he’s handling it well, and doing all he can to keep himself and Girlfriend safe and healthy. I will send All The Juju for a quick recovery for Andrew — and for some peace and calm for you and Smokey as you wait for updates from afar. All the love. . . XO
Oh no! Sending all the healing juju Andrew’s way… and that the Girlfriend does not get it! (also, I recommend a round of Manhattans to calm the soul… )
Oh boy, all the best healing juju to Andrew!!
Kat, he will weather it well. Im praying. So close to getting the vaccine .makes me angry that leaders delayed it. I hope his girlfriend doesn’t have it either. Those phone calls are always the WORST. (mom I got bit by a street dog last night in Mexico……Zach-)
Sending get well soon, may your covid remain mild thoughts his way!
Sorry to read this. I’ll remember Andrew when I’m praying for two of our sons, living in Mexico. One thinks he got sick with COVID but when he went to get tested, the testing place wasn’t where they said it was and he couldn’t find it. So we may never know. Thankfully he is feeling better and hopefully hasn’t passed it on to his brother who has a wife and three-year-old, also living in Mexico, They all were together on Christmas Eve. Another son, living here, just got the first dose of Pfizer vaccine 2 weeks ago as he is a nurse and works on COVID wards. Never done parenting, are we? Or worrying. Thank goodness for resilience (our kids and us!) and for knitting!! Stay safe.