#BlackCovidStories
I believe that there will come a moment when you will have to confront your greatest fears about the novel coronavirus. Such a moment determines who you are and what you truly stand for. Last week, I had this moment. My nineteen-year-old son’s fever spiked at 102.6, along with congestion, a sore throat, nausea, and achiness. When I saw the temperature, we immediately quarantined him and contacted his pediatrician for advice on our next steps. My son kept asking whether he contracted Covid-19 (Covid), our worst fear. I initially said No, because I was unable to look in his eyes, see his fear, and admit my own. I believe that it is this type of confusion along with the resultant frustration that are the major contributors that fuel Covid anxiety.
I called a triage nurse, asking if my son’s symptoms sounded like Covid symptoms. After listening to my concerns, he sighed and said, “There are no clear Covid symptoms anymore. We assume that the person has Covid until we know otherwise.” With his pediatrician’s assistance, less than 24 hours later, my son was able to get tested for Covid, strep, and the flu. Although he tested negative for everything, we were still worried. The Covid tests tend to yield a high number of false “negative” results. The problem is that with a negative test result and Covid symptoms, it is hard to determine the next steps. It was also difficult to understand how he could have been exposed to Covid, as he had only been outside of the home once (for a doctor’s appointment) in five weeks. It was a very difficult process but I learned a lot about how to navigate the system, how to treat the symptoms, and how to move forward even when everything in you is telling you to stand still:
1. America is learning about this novel coronavirus in real-time. Consequently, scientists and physicians are constantly releasing new and updated symptoms and outcomes. With the recent release of the racial data, it is alarming to see how it is disproportionately impacting our community. When my son’s fever spiked, it was disheartening to hear that there are no longer any “specific” COVID-19 symptoms. Earlier, we were told to watch for high fever, a dry cough, and abnormal respiration. Within the past week, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) added six new symptoms: chills, fever, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. The bottom line is that not much is known about the disease or even about how to get it; thus, if you experience any of these symptoms, assume COVID-19 until you test negative.
2. I live in Baltimore City, and we were told that there were only two testing sites. When I called my pediatrician, I found out there were at least five additional sites. So, unless your doctor tells you, you will not get this information. I asked them if my son needed a referral, and I was told that showing up was referral enough because you would only be there if your doctor sent you. They worked with me and found the least crowded place closest to my home. As I was driving my son to get tested, I kept thinking, –this was a privilege everyone should have during a pandemic.
3. Even with the referral, we still had to fight to get tested. Initially, the doctor refused (multiple times) to test my son even though he showed symptoms and had a referral. It was alarming because they based their refusal on his age and employment status. If you are in the office, do not take no for an answer and make sure that they do both tests: the Rapid test is 30% accurate and yields results in ten minutes, and the lab test, which is 90% accurate, takes 3-5 days.
4. The medical professionals will tell you to treat yourself at home. Do not walk away or hang up the phone until they give you specifics: what should you use to manage the fever? How do you quarantine the person who is sick? What should the rest of the household do to protect themselves? What do you do if the person tests negative but still has symptoms? Are there any medications (prescriptions) they can give to help the person to hasten recovery? We were told to “throw every recommended medication” at my son. We included home remedies such as hot tea, broths, Vicks vapor rub, and a humidifier in his room, as well.
5. As soon as my son’s fever spiked, we did these things: I started taking his temperature every hour and recording it. I wrote down every symptom and remedy or medication that I tried. We already had a quarantine plan in place, so we moved him into that space. It was already stocked with Pedialyte and Gatorade for dehydration; ginger ale for nausea; a thermometer and a pulse oximeter, alcohol pads, a mask and gloves, crackers and applesauce, extra sheets, towels, books, and trash bags. We put a small refrigerator there and stocked it with ice pops and packs. He was vomiting and sweating a lot, so he had to change his bedding every day. I moved his hospital go-bag (which included a change of clothes, a book, his cellphone charger, and a list of his medical history and allergies) to the front door in case we needed to run out. In addition to managing his illness, we worked with him to manage his anxiety over his symptoms and his loneliness.
It took a week for my son to be fever and symptom-free. He lost ten pounds in seven days and is still very weak and fatigued. As states are rushing to open up, my fear and anxiety for the survival of my people steadily increases. We do not have a vaccine or hospital beds or ventilators. We are struggling to get more tests and personal protective equipment (PPE). My concern is that as 45 continues to push to reopen this country, we are being led like lambs to a Covid slaughter. And in the end, some will survive, and some will not, but without testing and research and pacing, we will never know or understand why.
Karsonya Wise Whitehead (todaywithdrkaye@gmail.com; Twitter: @kayewhitehead) is the #blackmommyactivist and an associate professor of communication and African and African American studies at Loyola University Maryland. Recently selected for the Essence Woke 100 List, she is the award-winning host of “Today With Dr. Kaye” on WEAA 88.9 FM. She launched #BlackCovidStories as a place to document and share our stories during this Covid crisis. She is sheltering at home in Baltimore City with her husband and their two sons.