COVID-19 has affected everyone in some way for the last two years.

It’s been a long time, but like someone overstaying their welcome, the virus is still crashing on the world’s proverbial couch.

So, it should not have come as a surprise when after strictly following protocols for two years and getting vaccinated, my whole family became infected.

There are five of us; my wife TJ, my oldest Abigael, my son Bryce and my youngest Enna and myself.

Now, other than school and work, we have not ventured out to do much more than buy groceries the entire pandemic.

So, when it finally came barging through our door, we were surprised to say the least.

Bryce, patient zero, went down first. “Hey mom, my throat is scratchy,” he nonchalantly declared.

He was taken aback when we informed him that was a symptom. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” he asked.

TJ took him upstairs to be tested.

“Luckily, we had received kits from the schools and so the kids were equipped to do tests at home, which was nice,” said TJ.

Bryce was somewhat upset when the results showed he was positive.

As TJ will attest, he has been the most cautious. “He always has a mask whenever he leaves the house and was the most concerned about leaving at all when the pandemic started,” said TJ.

Like Napoléon after Waterloo, he was defeated and exiled (to his room).

We set him up with electronics and other things to keep him comfortable and brought him food when he was hungry, which he acclimated to rather quickly.

We all started wearing masks in the house and disinfected surfaces regularly.

The girls and I were next, though they tested positive right away and I did not.

I had very mild symptoms though, so I decided to stay home and treat it like COVID anyway.

Jason Lawrence, a member of the pandemic response team at Lethbridge College, points out the importance of knowing what your normal is.

“I really think the key right now is self-monitoring. Individuals really need to be kind of in tune with themselves and if there’s any symptoms that they’re feeling or experiencing that are unusual to themselves, they have to take that into account,” Lawrence said. “If you have symptoms treat it like you have it because, some people just can’t get their hands on tests or the tests may not be accurate and so if you’re having the symptoms, just wait isolate yourself until you’re out of the symptom period.”

For my daughters, they got hit with fatigue and aches.

I had mild fever and headaches.

The girls were also banished and soon enjoyed the never-ending days of movies and room service.

Reflecting on the worst part of our ordeal, TJ felt it was the in-house isolation.

“Having to remove the kids from our interactions, that was hard,” said TJ.

We are a pretty close group and like doing things together.

When the kids had dance and karate, we’d all go even if just one was participating, that way we all got to be with each other at least for a little while every day.

That’s why we were all too happy to isolate, at least we had each other for company.

Until we didn’t.

Eventually we needed supplies.

Luckily TJ is the social one in our marriage and had a few close friends drop off essentials as we ran out of groceries.

“Most recently, during this, we’ve been able to help our friends who were infected, who in turn have helped us which has made things easier. We had a nice Costco delivery, some watermelon, some Oreos, little, you know, special things for the kids that they each like,” said TJ.

According to the Government of Alberta website on quarantine restrictions, if you are fully vaccinated, it states, “Starting the first day of symptoms or positive test, isolate for a mininum of five days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. Following isolation, wear a mask at all times when around others outside of home for up to five more days (10 total). This means you must eat or drink alone, away from others.”

If you are not fully vaccinated, you are to do the same but for 10 days instead of five.

It also states, “If you test negative and have symptoms, you should still stay home and away from others until symptoms resolve.”

Lawrence points out that since the Omicron variant is more contagious everyone should remember the basics.

“Again, we just require mask wearing within the college and we do encourage hand washing regularly and then if you’re not feeling well to not come on campus.” Lawrence continues. “You also need to be vaccinated or show a negative test if you want to come on campus.”

Thankfully for my family our symptoms were fairly mild and once we all tested positive, we started hanging out together again.

“Just make it as fun as you can, I guess. Do the best with what you have at home and just make the best of it. Find little ways to make the days different,” said TJ.