… and I survived #Covid far away from home
It’s been a while since I wrote my last piece. Between then and now several trips have happened, both for work and pleasure. Every time I boarded that plane, at the back of my mind I knew the risk was always there but all the trips were important to me. If some were to bond with family that gave me the energy to stay sane and happy, then others were to meet my colleagues and get my work back on the runway. I had even spent 14-days in a hotel room (twice) as I returned from these trips, but my renewed energy gave me the strength to face what may have come my way.
I finally contracted the virus the day I ended a week-long work trip to Amsterdam that kicked off on my birthday! An epic birthday that will never be forgotten. It was one of the most fulfilling work trips I have undertaken in a long time, so no regrets there. I met our global partners who till now were just names on virtual screens since the last two years. The week saw us all discuss not just work, but also take several baby steps to better understand each other [read museum tours, dinners, breakfasts, celebrate my birthday and even try spicy Indian cuisine]. The week surely ended on a high with me making new friends in a new setting.
As I started my self-quarantine to recover from #COVID, a dear friend told me, “The virus finally caught up with you after your many travels.” I am just pure lucky my symptoms were mild but not totally asymptomatic. As much as it required me to rest up, it also needed me to be stronger, be positive (in my mind), find all possible ways to get through my week.
Probably what pushed me through the most were those long quarantines I had served in Singapore during my travels in 2020–2021. This time around, I also had a business partner [hereon referred to as ‘COVID Buddy’] for company - we both tested positive the same day and he couldn’t head back home too. As days passed by, it was most touching to see how we became silent pillars of strength for each other [read ordering good food for each other daily!].
As I kickstarted the isolation, I realised its crucial to form an ‘inner circle’ who will check on me constantly, share jokes, movie lists, send food, order tests kits (very useful gift) and not keep asking me how I was coping. For me that inner circle was family, our partners I had met during my trip to Amsterdam, and my two family friends based here! All your timely check-in’s, kept me going. A special mention to my colleagues back in Singapore, who had my ‘back’ the day I collapsed. They helped me quickly re-prioritise my week, my deadlines and worked unitedly to ensure that my work life would take some shape amidst this crisis.
One thing is for sure, the virus is everywhere and you could face such a situation anytime. So here is a practical to-do list [and I really hope you don’t need it], but if you ever need it, hope it makes atleast one life easy.
Essentials you should always carry when you travel now:
- Must carry: Self Test Kits, travel insurance, print outs of vax certificates, Panadol, cough syrup and any other medicines [for headaches, sore throat], Green tea sachets, thermometer, extra cash [don’t always rely on your credit card], some snacks [anything that’s your favorite], comfortable clothes, Tablet/iPad [anything that gives you access to your kind of entertainment], books, Bluetooth speaker [I always need good music in my hotel room].
- Call your airline- I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing support I was given by Singapore Airlines. They shared with me their COVID Medical Emergency Policy. So comforting that with no questions asked, my ticket was kept open. All I needed was to give them was a 24-hour heads up and they would manage a seat for me.
- Decide your accommodation- If where you are staying is affordable and comfortable, then best to extend that if its available. You will need it for atleast 5 days. Most countries have their own #COVID rules, but standard now is 5-days self-quarantine. I would recommend a hotel instead of Airbnb as there are times when you need Guest Service assistance, clean towels, refill of toiletries, pamper yourself to in-room dining, food you ordered to be brought up to your room.
- Set a structure to your day- I laid out hours for working [tried to match that to Singapore time zone as much as possible], reading, entertainment, making music playlists, catching up with family/kids and quiet time [usually nap time for me].
- Less is good- As #entrepreneurs, we don’t have the greatest luxuries to switch off our phones and laptops [atleast not times like this when every piece of work committed to is crucial to be completed]. Hence prioritizing is key. Thank you to my team back home who jumped into action and helped me structure my week!
I openly said ‘no’ to work that wasn’t crucial for the week and focused on only what needs to be done. Even exited some work and personal ‘chat’ groups so I am not constantly asked ‘“how are you coping” or have to hear others banter, that you may feel are so inconsequential considering what you are currently going through :-) Of course they are friends and family and must understand.
- Local Contact- See if you have any local contact [even a distant friend or anyone from your friend’s network]. Good to just be in touch with someone locally, so if any medical help etc. needs to be activated, they can guide you. Afterall its their city! You may also need extra cash like me, and I was lucky to have a friend who went that extra mile to drop it off for me.
- Food- When unwell, comfort food is what you need. Thankfully I am not a big fan of home cooked food, hence was thrilled that my Deliveroo app worked even here in Amsterdam. My ‘COVID Buddy’ and I got hooked onto it, and would plan our dinner menu together and order for each other. We went from Asian to Middle Eastern :-)
- Self tests- I ordered a few extra Anti- Rapid Test (ART) kits via Amazon on day #1 that I turned +ve. I used them to run a test every morning as I made my coffee, literally like a morning chore. Again very thankful to rules back home that trained us to ‘self test’ always so we keep ourselves and our loved ones safe during intense #COVID months in the past.
- RT-PCR Test on Day 1- One of my partners reminded me that self tests are not always accurate, so I must do an RT-PCR Test. Thanks to my ‘COVID Buddy’ who had figured out the closest place to get it done, I was able to do it on Day 1 itself. Do check on your country’s regulation before you fly back. You may need a local doctor to certify your ‘fit and healthy’ certificate. That’s where your ‘local contact’ will come handy.
- It’s okay to not be okay- This is key. Rest yourself up, share with everyone in your inner circle how you are feeling, do video calls so they are relieved to see you are coping fine and you can see ‘faces’, do things that cheer you up [my kids and my team calling me was my high- even 5 minutes to joke around everyday was sufficient] and just be kind on yourself.
As I walk out of my 5-day quarantine tomorrow, it seems like a another forced ‘me’ time break I had. This trip will always be memorable. It has reminded that I can survive anywhere, anyhow [maybe something I may have done as a student years ago on my backpacking trips]. I will go back feeling grateful for all the love and care that came my way, even from strangers [hotel staff, health authorities]. I even had days when the Manager of the hotel came up to my room to drop off my food delivery. She said they were short-staffed so she was happy to drop it off personally and stood by to check in on how I am doing. As I navigated this tough week here by myself, every dose of empathy is surely what kept me going.
