Written by Chillie Falls, March 28, 2023 for AccessAdventure.net
Over the past year, how many times have you heard, “Covid? That is just like a cold.” or “I had no signs. It was nothing.” or “I have done everything they asked. Jabs, boosters flu shots. If I get it, oh well.” Mask wearing and social distancing, a thing of our past.
Have we completely forgotten the unknown fear of a pandemic or the necessity to quarantine at home to protect family and loved ones?
Because of many health complications, I was a prime candidate for Covid, and the bad version. I had been through harsh chemo, had a total respiratory collapse, and was a full time oxygen user. We saw hundreds of thousands lose their lives from respiratory complications of covid. And, quite frankly, I lived for months in fear of doing anything..
And then the world changed.
We started cruising again. Under different rules, but cruising. The muster drill changed, social distancing was enforced. Buffets were served. New cleaning and sanitization procedures implemented. We crawled before we could walk. Ships sailed with very small numbers of guests and we wore masks.. The cruise industry had to get this right.
In the meantime, I was not allowed to cruise until January 2022. No cruise line would allow oxygen users on board. They were more concerned with protecting everyone from Covid rather than waste time and effort on a “healthy” oxygen guest. Finally, Royal Caribbean and MSC accepted oxygen guests and I was able to schedule my return to cruising on January 28, 2022. That started a wonderful year or 21 cruises ending in December with the inaugural cruise of MSC Seascape.
Through those 21 cruises, plus my first three of 2023. I was completely comfortable on cruise ships, even back to the early ones with all of the covid mitigation procedures in place and limited guest capacity. I had both my vaccinations, booster shots every time one was available, followed the mitigation rules, wore masks and stayed covid free. However, I do admit as soon as the mid-years softening of rules and regulations started, I was one of the first to back away from the mitigation practice’s and quit using a mask. My comfort kept adding to complacency to the point of feeling nearly invincible.
Imagine my total shock when after my 24th cruise, I tested positive for the first time. And sadly, have no idea when or how it started. Several facts may have been a factor, but who knows? On the flight from Baltimore to Ft Lauderdale between cruise #23 and cruise #24, a kid puked all over me. Then In Ft Lauderdale, I went through the entire phone debacle and stress of going on a major bucket list cruise without my phone and all of the things I do with it on cruises. About a week in to cruise #24, I developed a nagging cough and congestion, but felt perfectly fine. Then from San Diego, I had a 12 hour layover at the airport, a red-eye flight back to Ft Lauderdale, another 12 hour layover and flight to Baltimore. By the time I drove back to Virginia, I was totally exhausted.
I have always been vigilant on testing to assure the protection of my sister, brother-in-law and niece since I was constantly out and about, traveling the world. When I got the positive test, I was stunned. I immediately remembered all of the people claiming Covid was nothing, just like a bad cold. Or the “new” flu.
For me, it was nothing like that. In less than 8 hours, and for two nights, I was close to death. So weak I couldn’t move, coughing so hard I couldn’t breath and gasping for every breath I could not find. No chance of sleeping which added to my weakness. I was ready for a trip to the hospital as soon as I could talk to my doctor.
And just as quickly, it was over. I tested negative before I could request the hospital. And immediately, began to recover. Now, four days later, while not back to full strength, I am so much better. An no, I could not travel yet. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and know I will be ready for my May 1 cruise.
By all means folks, don’t become a victim of covid complacency. That can jump up and bite you.