The COVID Experience

By Derek Tahara | He/him/his | Mountain View Buddhist Temple

This past November, I tested positive for COVID-19. I was very disappointed when I saw the two little pink lines on the COVID test. I had done almost everything I could to avoid getting COVID, but not quite enough. Since I still live at home, I did not want to get my family sick because my dad will sometimes visit my grandpa. I’d wear a mask indoors and consistently sanitize my hands. 

I think I caught the virus while playing basketball on Tuesday night. If it wasn’t there, then I probably caught the virus at the gym, but I always wear a mask at the gym.

Some of the symptoms I had were a dry cough, sore throat, chest congestion, some sniffling and a few other mild symptoms. COVID put me out of doing any physical activity for nearly two weeks. It was hard for me mentally because I love staying active and I thought I would get rid of the virus in a few days, not a couple of weeks.

Having to quarantine for a couple of weeks helped me realize how grateful I am for my family to provide meals on a tray and full water bottles.

COVID took a lot of physical and mental perseverance. I tried to stay as positive as I could throughout my quarantine. I hope people try to make smart decisions by continuing to mask when necessary and use hand sanitizer often. COVID, I think, will always be with us, no matter how many vaccines the CDC and FDA approve. I think the virus will become much like the flu. It’s time to not be complacent and stay vigilant with physical distancing and mask-wearing indoors when the situation calls for it because the virus is still out there and I would like to protect my family members, so they don’t get sick.

The aftermath of COVID for me hasn’t been too bad. I still have a little bit of chest congestion and worry that I have long COVID, but for the most part, I’m back in the gym doing the same strength training I was before. 

Now, what’s funny is the two days back in the gym, I got a couple of PRs (personal records). One was a trap bar deadlift PR and the other was on the isometric lateral row machine. I’m just glad I could get back in the gym and back to playing basketball at a level higher than what I was doing before.  The time off helped my body and joints recover from the physical toll of going to the gym everyday and playing basketball once or twice a week.