Isolation

Places I have lived (Isolation as a factor)
March 13/2021

After 2 vaccines, as well as a booster shot, I was exposed unknowingly and ended showing a positive rapid test on December 25th. My wife and I were in Ottawa for Christmas for anticipated wonderful times with my 3 daughters, 2 son in laws, 1 son, and 4 grandsons. The positive test was a real shocker since I really had no symptoms. But, I had no choice, my son (who also tested positive) watched the kids opening presents from afar and could not partake in our usually boisterous and musical Christmas dinner. We kept our distance, wore masks, refrained from hugs and close contact. Then we made our way home back to Windsor to isolate for 10 days.
Although I was deeply disappointed with missing all the joyful Christmas activities, it seemed to me that I could make the best of my isolation and address all the myread of chores on my to be done list. Also, a start to my regular exercise and healthy eating. All ended well and back to normal 10 days later, 3 of the remaining I tested positive but had almost no symptoms. We have recovered.

BUT, places I have lived where isolation was a factor was during my final year at medical school, when I was greatly squeezed by finances and forced to temporarily live in the back porch of a house that the front of which, had been converted into an insurance agency.
It was cold, drafty and I had to share the bathroom with the 2 front office ladies. I felt very isolated and under significant stress as I faced my exams. The low point came when I drove home into the driveway later evening to read neurology and try to get some much-needed sleep.

As I turned off the ignition I caught a very vivid glimpse of a large skunk that was between me and my porch door. He didn’t seem to want to go anywhere. I felt very isolated, but turned on the light, read some neurology in my car, then went to bed once my friend moseyed off. However, once I got to the door I had to remove about 3 cm of snow from both inside and outside the door before I could brush my teeth and hop into a well blanketed bed.

That was isolation.