By: Sarah Mitchell
Updated: Sep. 13, 2021
Originally Published: Sep. 10, 2021
COVID has invaded our home, and we’re now on day 13 of this ordeal. My husband was the first to test positive and was quickly isolated. The kids haven’t seen him since the night before his test. I was certain he was the only one infected since everyone else felt fine. I believed my vaccination would protect me, and I thought the kids just needed to keep their distance from one another. How naive I was.
On day seven, I took the kids for testing to see if they could go back to school the following week. Thankfully, our school requires a negative test to prevent asymptomatic children from returning and potentially spreading the virus. It turned out my son tested positive as well. No symptoms, so it must not be a big deal, right? Kids rarely get sick from COVID, so what’s the harm in him being around others?
No, that’s not how it works at all.
My son was immediately affected by the news. The moment he received his result, he moved to another part of the room and apologized. It broke my heart. He felt guilty for being sick and for the possibility of transmitting the virus. This little boy understood how contagious he was and that to keep others safe, he had to isolate. He’s wiser than many adults out there, who deny the seriousness of this virus, claiming that masking children is abusive and ineffective, while they continue to spread the virus.
Once we returned home, my son began his isolation. For an eight-year-old, it meant facing fear and loneliness. He would have to eat, sleep, and learn in his room for the next ten days. His only interaction with his siblings would be through FaceTime and text. It’s a dismal situation — a minimum of 12 hours a day alone. When he does have human contact, it’s with me, sitting next to him at a makeshift school setup in his bedroom, where I wear a mask to avoid risking infection. It’s heartbreaking.
Then the health department contacted us, and the gravity of our situation truly hit home. We discussed isolation and sanitation measures. Do people really think kids with COVID can’t transmit the virus? Spoiler alert: they can, and they do. To contain the spread, we had to implement strict sanitation protocols, including using only paper plates and plastic utensils, as the delta variant is so contagious that regular dishwashing might not be enough. I was blindsided by this information and it sent me into a tailspin.
To keep everyone safe, we had to separate. The kids were confined to their bedrooms, and one even had to sleep in the family room. They could use their devices, but no communal activities. No family dinners or movie nights. They were instructed to stay in their designated spaces. Exceptions were made for my five-year-old daughter during her distance learning, but even then, we wore masks in the kitchen. It’s frustrating.
As for distance learning, I’m bitter. My children were back in school for only four days before COVID struck. They deserve a proper education and social interaction. I’m not a teacher, and trying to manage virtual learning for four kids while preventing cross-contamination is nearly impossible. If we keep testing positive, this could go on for weeks. It’s simply unfair.
Being the only adult responsible for five individuals—one of whom is actively ill with COVID and the others isolated—is exhausting. No one is allowed to touch anything. If someone enters the kitchen, it’s one at a time with me, and we’re both masked. They can’t touch the fridge, cabinets, or sink; I have to handle everything, from food to cleaning supplies. After each bathroom visit, I must sanitize the space. It’s driving me mad.
When asymptomatic COVID is present in your home, everyone is a suspect. You never know when another positive case will arise. Our family thrives on physical affection, and it’s agonizing to be away from each other. I hug and kiss my children countless times daily, but now I’ve been sleeping alone for nearly two weeks. My kids are lonely and miss each other’s company. They long for hugs, but I can’t risk spreading the virus.
Just because my son is asymptomatic doesn’t mean he’s not sick. He could develop long-haul COVID symptoms later, and that terrifies me. The potential for life-altering effects looms, and it’s all preventable. We know how to avoid this.
I have zero patience for adults who refuse to get vaccinated and continue spreading the virus. I don’t want to hear about how masks are unnecessary or that COVID doesn’t affect kids. Tell that to my children, who have been separated for a week. Explain to them why you deny scientific evidence.
Adults, step up! Wash your hands, wear a mask, and get vaccinated. Do your part to improve this situation. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. You will get sick, and you’ll regret it. I just hope your children remain safe; they deserve better. If they’re anything like mine, they’re far smarter than many adults I encounter.
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Summary:
A family’s experience with COVID illustrates the chaos, fear, and isolation that come with the virus, particularly when children are involved. The author expresses frustration over misinformation and the challenges of managing a household during this difficult time, highlighting the importance of taking preventative measures.