My ability to go turfing has suddenly been scuppered, at least partially, by what started off as something as innocuous as a mildly sore throat and a dry cough that developed over the past few days. Unfortunately, a cough is a potential symptom of Covid-19, so I am now having to self-isolate at home. What a bugger that is! I wouldn’t have minded so much if I’d still be W.O.R.K.I.N.G. but it’s really annoying when you are retired. Actually, I wouldn’t have minded one iota about not going in to work if I’d still been employed.
I must admit to having been a naughty boy last night and went out on the Swifty kick scooter for half-a-dozen local zones around 4.00 am. With not a single soul abroad, other than distant passing road traffic and one Mr Reynard Fox who had already had both his vaccinations. I really cannot see any problem with that.
Booked my PCR test last night, for 10.00 am this morning and walked up to the nearest testing station at Poltonhall, Bonnyrigg. This was a fortunate location as I had to walk past a few zones on the way there. And on the way back, I had to walk back a different route due to road works, also picking off a few zones. The PCR test was easy enough, only awkward bit is making sure you get the swab in the correct areas at the back of the throat and not gag and throw up your breakfast. Hopefully, I’ve done that okay and with some luck, will get the results emailed to me tomorrow.
Only a few days ago, on 06-09-21, I started my grand attempt at the Daily-365. However, I didn’t get very far and only managed my Five-a-Day for three days before missing a day. It was back to the start again. How annoying is that? What I need is daily reminders and to that end have setup an app on the mobile phone to remind me every day to take Five-a-Day. Of course, this will only work if I’ve a) got the mobile phone handy and switched on and b) the app actually running and working properly.
As an almost 60-year-old, I’m not like the social-media-savvy youngsters of today who have their social media devices welded to their hands, or permanently held to their ears. No, I’m Old School, and proudly still prefer analogue, like a real Discworld paperback by the late lamented Terry Pratchett, rather than the expensive Kindle that now languishes forgotten in the bottom drawer. So, I’ve purchased a ridiculously cheap A6 pocket diary, and by cheap I mean £1.14, including Amazon delivery. It will live on the shelf beside my turfing equipment, i.e. mobile phone, camera and phone power pack. I’m hoping this will help me keep my Five-a-Day going for longer than a pitiful three days.
Postscript 11-09-21 06:10 am
An email, popped into the inbox with the heading, NHS COVID-19 Notification. This was followed by a text message an hour later. The text read as follows:
Dear Gary Buckham
Test date: 10 September 2021
Your coronavirus PCR test (or other lab test) result is negative. It’s likely you did not have the virus when the test was done.
Keep following coronavirus advice including:
- regular handwashing
- social distancing
- wearing a face covering where recommended
You may need to self-isolate, despite this negative result. Find out at https://www.nhsinform.scot/isolation If you cannot access this online advice, you can instead call the National Contact Tracing Centre on 0800 030 8012.
If you’re going into hospital for a procedure, continue to self-isolate until the date you go in. If you have symptoms that do not go away, contact 111 or see your GP. In an emergency dial 999. As someone who has had a negative test, your help will be valuable in finding coronavirus treatments. Sign up to take part in coronavirus studies on the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) website:
https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/campaigns/COVID-19-research-studies/
Great news and I don’t have Covid-19, probably. Still have a bloody sore throat though!
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