The Insider:
Hi Olivia! Where do you live?
Olivia:
Manhattan, Upper West Side.
The Insider:
What kind of work do you do?
Olivia:
I own some real estate and a business.
The Insider:
How old are you?
Olivia:
39
The Insider:
Let’s talk about your life during the pandemic. When it first happened, did you make a lot of changes in your life?
Olivia:
Not a lot. Just quarantine. Ordering food online.
The Insider:
You wore a mask?
Olivia:
Yes of course. After finishing quarantine.
The Insider:
Did any of your friends or relatives get Covid?
Olivia:
Yes. Two friends got it. That was a long time ago though.
The Insider:
Did that affect your own behavior/ Were you more careful after that?
Olivia:
Yes of course. I was worried that I would give it to others, even after quarantine.
The Insider:
When did you get vaccinated?
Olivia:
April, with Moderna.
The Insider:
Did having the vaccine change your behavior? Did you feel more relaxed about the possibility of getting sick?
Olivia:
Yes and yes. I thought since I got vaccinated, it would be unlikely that I would get Covid
The Insider:
When did you get sick?
Olivia:
I tested positive on August 7.
The Insider:
Were you surprised?
Olivia:
Yes.
The Insider:
Do you know how you got it? Were you exposed to someone who had it?
Olivia:
Yes. My boyfriend. He got sick on August 3rd
The Insider:
Was he vaccinated too?
Olivia:
No. He is trying to get vaccinated now.
The Insider:
Had that been an issue in your relationship?
Olivia:
No.
The Insider:
Why did he decide originally not to get vaccinated?
Olivia:
He thought the vaccines came out prematurely, and were pushed out too fast.
The Insider:
Was that partly a political view?
Olivia:
Possibly.
The Insider:
Was he a Trump supporter?
Olivia:
No. He thinks Trump is stupid. Lol. But he is not Democrat.
The Insider:
How sick did you get?
Olivia:
Mild symptoms. I got headaches. Fatigue. Some coughing. Then a few days later, after the headaches were gone, I lost my sense of smell and taste.
The Insider:
Have they returned now?
Olivia:
Partially.
The Insider:
How many days were you sick?
Olivia:
Only 2 or 3 days.
The Insider:
Do you think that the vaccine kept your case mild?
Olivia:
I‘ve heard that’s the case. But I’m not sure.
The Insider:
What was your boyfriend’s illness like?
Olivia:
Almost exactly the same symptoms. Headaches. Fatigue. Lost his sense of smell and taste, plus his back hurt.
The Insider:
Did you and your boyfriend have to quarantine after being sick?
Olivia:
Yes. I quarantined 10 days; he did 14 days. My doctor told me 10 days is good.
The Insider:
Do you get another Covid test when you recover, to make sure it’s gone?
Olivia:
I tried. I went to City MD. But they told me that for up to 3 months, I can still test positive. So they didn’t even test me told me to go home. But I’m not contagious anymore. Also, NYC Test & Trace told me the same thing.
The Insider:
What does your boyfriend say about the vaccines now?
Olivia:
He said he will consider getting it after he tests negative, because the doctor said you can still test positive even you are recovered for up to 3 months
The Insider:
Did the doctor say your boyfriend should have a vaccine now?
Olivia:
No. His doctor said wait until he tests negative, then get vaccinated.
The Insider:
Do you plan to get a third shot, a booster shot, when they’re available?
Olivia:
Maybe.
The Insider:
Why maybe?
Olivia:
I feel like I got vaccinated, but it didn’t prevent me from getting sick. So I need to read more and do some research, then make a decision.
The Insider:
Any final thoughts about your Covid experience?
Olivia:
I feel like I got “brain fog“ a bit from Covid. My thoughts are-- not as bad as I thought. But I definitely need to be more careful.
The Insider:
In what ways will you be more careful now?
Olivia:
Wear a mask, wash my hands and keep my distance. If I am sick, see my doctor ASAP and don’t expose others. People in poor health or even healthy people could die from it.
Covid is not a joke. My friend’s young nephew died from It, and he was 25 years old.
I also feel like we don’t know 100% about Covid. Lots to learn about it..
The Insider:
One more question--does your boyfriend think it was a mistake for him not to get a vaccine originally?
Olivia:
Yes. He said “Yeah, if I had gotten vaccinated earlier I could have avoided Covid. “
The interviewee's name has been changed at her request for personal and professional reasons.
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