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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums21 year old son getting tested today for COVID
My son works part-time at FedEx loading and unloading semis. They dont wear masks while working inside the trucks as it would be almost impossible in the conditions (over 100 degree heat, ridiculous pace expected. Try doing bench press and squats continuously for 5 hours in 100+ heat, only one 10 minute break, and you get the idea). FedEx requires they wear masks in the building break rooms, etc, and there is only one loader per semi truckso I guess they assume its safe. They retrofitted all doors so that you can open with your feet.
Anyway, he started coughing 2 days ago and had a headache and very slight fever (99 degrees but he is usually 97). I started him on Cold Eeze zinc lozenges immediately. Today he feels pretty good. temp 98.3, but since there has been more than one person who tested positive at FedEx they want him to get tested.
Im not really worried about him (knock on wood), but I just dont want to get sick or my husband. We bought some HEPA air cleaners and have one running in his room and in ours. The good thing is hes literally never out of his room when home, even before he started feeling sick. Sleeping or playing online games (he goes back to school in the fall). Weve also been super careful about making sure everyone in our family wears masks when they go out. Now when he leaves his room for anywhere else in the house he wears a mask and uses hand sanitizer before touching anything.
Ill keep everyone posted. If, God forbid, he tests positive but we (hopefully) remain negative it will tell me if our precautions worked.
soothsayer
(38,601 posts)irisblue
(33,023 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Sure hope he is ok! 💗💗💗
Please keep us updated, as able.
LisaL
(44,974 posts)Keep him in his room until you know the results of his test.
MissB
(15,812 posts)Ohiogal
(32,065 posts)I hope your son will be OK and that none of you will get it. It sounds like youre doing everything you can to be responsible.
My 29 year old son had mild symptoms back in March (low grade fever, fatigue, and headache). He doesnt live with us but he visited and stayed for dinner 2 days before his symptoms appeared, and I hugged him. I was scared to death my husband and I and our other 2 sons would get it but we never did. He was off work for 10 days and went back. After he went back he found that 3 other people in the lab where he works had gotten it, and a guy in his 50s that works closely with him had some more severe symptoms, although that guy got over it at home, thank goodness.
It made me angry at the time that when my son talked to a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic through his health insurance, he was told shed recommend him to be tested but that he probably wouldnt qualify, and sure enough he was never tested. The lack of testing is still going on in many places and its insane. Weve had this virus for 4 months or more in this country and the resources that our healthcare workers have to fight it are still lacking. I lay this all on Trump. But I digress. I hope you and your son all,stay well. Please keep us posted!
crimycarny
(1,351 posts)Yes, I lay this all at Trumps feet as well. The response couldnt have been worse in my opinion.
Someone posted about a new test Australia invented that can tell if you are actively infected pr have been infected in the past. Hopefully the test becomes widely available so your son to see if his symptoms months ago were due to COVID. Glad his symptoms were mild, thanks for sharing that!
Ohiogal
(32,065 posts)And again, Im wishing for a good outcome for all of you.
Back in March my son thought he might be able to get an antibody test, but from what Ive read, in many cases, you only have the antibodies for 3 months. Crazy, huh. Maybe the test you mentioned from Australia will become available here soon. Lets hope! Unless the Republicans find a way to block it somehow.
crimycarny
(1,351 posts)My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about 5 years ago. A1C of 13! He started an exercise program of walking every day and changed his diet. (Edit) His daily blood sugar levels went down to normal levels after about 3 months of this and his A1C went to normal after about 6 months. A1C has remained remained normal (he never started on insulin). Im so grateful he took his health seriously back then because Id be a lot more worried right now if he was still in the same shape when first diagnosed.
Again, thanks everyone and I will update when we find out. The more information we all have on this the better.