My husband, Markus and I tested positive for covid 2 weeks ago. Sadly, we contracted it during Markus’s birthday party in nature. We wanted to celebrate his birthday this year by doing what we both love. Nature and mountain biking. We found a perfect camping spot just outside Kuala Lumpur and with some good planning and logistics a great party was brewing. It involved camping overnight on campgrounds with our own tents. The only amenities were nature, piped water, and toilets.   

We (only) invited our outdoor and cycling friends and the list grew quickly. Even within this group, some were not sure what to expect. There were a lot of questions but over the 3 weeks of organising the event we managed to get everyone’s concerns answered and all were looking forward to it. We requested that everyone do a home covid test before coming on the day of the party. One of the main reasons for having the party in nature was to limit the potential of creating a cluster for the virus to use.

The day came and all went well. 22 of our friends arrived and though there was effort required to get set up, all rose to the occasion, and we had a great time.

Then came the unexpected.

Unbeknown to us, a couple of our friends were incubating the virus. Though they tested negative on the day of the party, a day later they started testing positive. There were only a handful of our friends who did not get infected. Though we took precautions to limit any potential transmission, in hindsight it was not future-proof.

And so, the journey began. Markus tested positive first. And I followed 2 days later. The journey, we thought would only be a matter of time, was finally here. The unknown was about to be known.

So much of what we do, the decision and choices we make depend on certainty and the known. The last 2 years made this almost impossible. Whilst we were in lockdown there was a semblance of control (of infection) purely through immobilisation. But very soon governments realised that doing so did not help the people or the economy. This was swiftly followed by the vaccination drive which, in theory, would help reduce symptoms and lower hospitalisation rates. This has proven to be mainly true.

But in reality, much was and still is unknown. How we react to the virus is known only once we contract it. Or when the unknown becomes the known. There was a fear for people with comorbidities, deficient immune systems, etc. But that was based on sample data and related prognosis. The actualities depended on so much more.

Between Markus and I, we had different symptoms. My body processed the virus differently from Markus. I know of families where the more vulnerable members (with diabetes and hypertension) escaped the virus whilst healthy, young family members caught it. No one knows with certainty how you or I would react to the virus and its various strains. It is unknown to a greater extent. There are some scientific guidelines but for the most part, how we experience it is unique to us.

So, it depends on some very subtle permutations and combinations. And what are they? I don’t know.

But here’s what I know. In my circle of friends, family, clients, and others, many are doing what they can to be safe. Some were/are more cautious than others. Markus and I fell in the ‘middle’ category. We were neither overly cautious or anxious nor were we blasé or taking unwanted risks. We felt that life had to come back to some form of normality for all of us to move forward. And to get to an endemic state as most countries are trying to get to, this may mean that the virus reaches every household. We made this a reality 2 weeks ago. We became part of the statistics.

We adapted quite well to our ‘new known’. It did not impede us too much, but we are still in recovery. Markus has gone out for his first cycle ride this morning, as I write this, with his friends who also tested positive 2 weeks ago. I am waiting to find out how he and the others got on. I chose not to cycle today as I feel I am not ready. Mentally yes, physically no.

The body is adapting well, and our resilience will depend on our adaptability. And the journey continues. There are still unknowns, but every new day brings greater clarity, but it requires trusting in our adaptability.

Be well!

As always, you can reach me at yoga@yoganesdurai.com