Serving the “quarantime”
Nelson Shwe, Staff Writer and Graphic Artist
On Sunday, Jan. 23, Caleb Smith, a freshman at NGU, visited the hospital with a high fever and got tested for COVID-19. The test result came back positive, meaning Smith would have to serve his time in quarantine.
In an update from the CDC, if someone tested positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status), he or she is to stay home for five days. According to the CDC, if people “have no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after five days, they can leave the house.” After that, they will need to wear masks for an additional five days. Those who have a fever are to “stay home until the fever resolves.”
Smith felt mild symptoms of COVID-19 on Thursday before he got tested. The symptoms of the virus were not severe until the weekend approached, when Smith recorded a high fever over 100. After testing positive, Smith’s doctor ordered him to stay home for 10 days and quarantine.
Smith informed his teachers and got instructions for his current and upcoming assignments. He filled out a survey for the NGUstrong, NGU’s contact tracing program. The faculty then reached out to him, telling him how to proceed after his quarantine when he returns to campus.
After arriving home from the hospital, Smith felt tired and lost his appetite. He spent most of his Sunday and Monday in bed and described it as “the worst days.”
On Tuesday, Smith attempted to do schoolwork but could not focus. He did not start feeling better until Friday, when he was able to complete some homework.
Smith described spending most of his quarantine lying in bed, leaving his room only for necessities and feeling tired. He added, “We still have Christmas decorations up in our house. So, my mom wanted me to help take them down. I did that, which was bad. I got so tired after that,” said Smith.
During the day, Smith spent most of his time alone. His parents were working at their jobs while his brothers were in school. But when his family returned home, he interacted with them.
Smith said, “I was alone for most of the day. When everybody got home, I would talk to everybody. Other than that, I’m just by myself hanging out,”
As of Monday, Feb. 4, Smith is back on campus and returning to his classes while following the school’s provided guidelines. He said he missed out on many class instructions, but is glad to be back.
*Featured Image: Self-isolation. Graphic by Nelson Shwe.
