Tim Carman, a food journalist, was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the beginning of November, with the telltale symptom being a hacking dry cough. As most of us are aware, COVID targets not just your respiratory system, but can also completely debilitate our sense of taste and smell for an indefinite amount of time. For Carman, most of his work is completely reliant on those senses. The pandemic has completely changed his job now and in the future.
The lack of taste and smell weren't the worst side effects for him, though. In an article for The Washington Post, he details the extreme pain, nausea, and psychological fatigue he endured not once, but twice. He and his wife both quarantined for two weeks as they dealt with rising and falling temperatures, oxygen levels, and patience. He explains his anger at the current administration for doing the bare minimum to fight this disease. Thankfully, he and his wife have both made a recovery, but they haven't forgotten the pain they dealt with.
People who recover from COVID feel like they've been given a new lease on life, because they know, no matter your age, the scale can tip in either direction. Despite now struggling with his career as a food writer, Carman is more appreciative than ever for the life that he still gets to live. Hopefully we see some changes in the immediate future regarding plans to combat this cruel sickness.