Maggie AstorCompte certifié

Compared to many other people, we were so lucky. We had the “mild” version, paid sick time, supportive friends and family and colleagues. Yet it was still one of the most profoundly isolating experiences of my life. 15/x

At one point, I told my therapist I’d gotten many check-in emails prefaced with some form of “sorry to bother you.” I said, “But they’re not bothering me — they’re reminding me that things still exist outside this apartment,” and started crying so hard I couldn’t speak. 16/x

I am really grateful to people like @elizashapiro who went through this earlier, shared advice, and promised me the illness wouldn’t last forever when it truly felt like it would. I’m sharing my experience now to try to pay it forward. 17/x

This community, sadly, is only going to get larger. So I’m happy to answer any questions anybody has, and to talk to anyone who’s going through similar. Please don’t hesitate. 18/end

To answer the most common question so far, I don't know how we got it. My husband's symptoms started (barely) <14 days into WFH, so it's possible we were exposed before that. But even then, we were really careful, washing hands, showering as soon as we got home.

Once we started social distancing, we did get food deliveries, but we always wiped them down thoroughly — every single container. I'm a huge germaphobe. Anyone who knows me can attest to the obsessive precautions I take. We still got it.

I'm trying to answer as many other questions as I can, but there are a lot and I am still really tired. I'll get back to as many people as I can over the course of the day, but taking a break for now.

Another frequent question: what meds we took. - FEVER: Tylenol - COUGH: benzonatate (Rx) and anything with dextromethorphan (Robitussin, Mucinex DM, Delsym, whatever was in stock at the bodega that delivered to us, and yes, we tipped a ton) - NAUSEA: promethazine (Rx)