I have Covid

The irony is that I haven’t even been diagnosed yet, well not properly at least. According to the FDA, the risk of false positive remains high in rapid antigen tests, however, the numbers surrounding the effectiveness of such tests are highly speculative furthermore they vary from brand to brand.

But what really surprised me was the reactions this outcome spurred from those I had recently socialised with, those friends that insist on inviting you and consuming a glass or two even though they know you aren’t well. The “I have been in bed with headaches and a sore throat for three days” but “took an antigen test on that came back negative so I’m in the clear” statement was greeted with open arms last weekend. Not so much now.

Everyone has an opinion in what you should do, who you should tell, who you most certainly cannot tell and how you are supposed to conduct yourself. Ironically, or not depends on which way you sway; most suggestions are illegal. Or perhaps the rigid Brit inside of me enjoys the comfort found behind the red tape. Either way, it certainly creates fractions and opinions somewhat divide themselves rather harshly. There are those that beg you to keep the information to yourself, at risk of exposing their own partying antics. Those pressuring into a more definitive answer or scientifically correct one which would cost me 80 euros but will calm their ease their mind. Those that decide to panic buy quick fix tests to ensure they haven’t also been contaminated by such a disgusting infestation. And then those that just simply ignore your texts, yes unfortunately covid ghosting is also a thing us millennials must deal with.

However, it does come at some shock that although I have been in and out of various ill states throughout the last five days, sympathy was not the common sentiment among my “friends”. Concern for their own activities was of utmost importance, after all what are your twenties for if they are not just a little bit selfish?

Then comes the bureaucratic dance that accompanies the Portuguese public health care service or SNS as they call it out here. When dialling for the Healthline they specifically tell you to “press 9 for English” only to be put through to someone who refuses to speak English. Four phone calls, a whole day goes by and excuses of an “overloaded system” later, still no PCR test in sight, but hey look on the bright side I can try again tomorrow.