I mentioned in an earlier blog that I had Covid days before my twin passed on the 10th December, so I was unable to say goodbye to her. It's the beginning of February and I am still sick. Not having recovered fully from Covid in December, I am now dealing with a cough and cold virus, and am struggling to stay well.

Going to London for Christmas with a negative test, and not fully recovered from Covid, I went into the New Year with trepidation on my health, but tried not to ruminate on it for too long. Then two weeks ago, I took a gamble, going city centre shopping without a mask. I knew I was immune to Covid, because I had only finished with it in December. I should have been safe.

A cough and flu virus like no other

A week later, I was starting to feel a bit ropey, first starting with spasmodic coughing fits, and then a cold. It has come from having to dodge people coughing without putting their hands to their mouths. I would love to get back into my life and not have to think about masking up on a regular basis, but it's not my life now. It was my first time without a mask, I rue the day I made the wrong decision and am currently paying the price. While we're still in Covid, wearing a mask in public spaces, saves sickness and lives.

Protect the vulnerable

Even if you're not vulnerable, catching any virus can leave you feeling washed out. It was also the first time in 3 years I had taken my mask off in a public place. But putting your hand to your mouth when coughing should be elementary. There must have been three or four people in the store, I thought I had dodged.

The cough and flu virus

Now, having spoken to a friend last night, what I've got is in fact quite common and like no other cough and cold virus, which can take some 3+ weeks to disappear. It's not your run of the mill cough. It has literally wiped me out. We all can and need to be proactive here to help the vulnerable out.

Stay home

If you know you have a cough, or you present with a cold please stay home to protect the vulnerable and mask up if you have to go out and you're in a public space. Had that have happened, it would have stopped me from getting sick. Not long through Covid, I am currently naturally immune to it.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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