ndrosen

I noticed a scratchy throat working in the Patent Office campus Thursday, and searched one of my desk drawers, where I found one last zinc gluconate lozenge, which I sucked on. I also drank some herbal tea to soothe my throat. Going home on the subway and bus, I was glad to be wearing a mask, as I figured it would reduce the chance of my infecting someone else. My throat continued to be sore, and I did some sneezing and nose-blowing. I didn’t set the alarm, and tried to sleep late in the morning; then I put on a new mask, and headed to CVS to buy zinc gluconate lozenges and a couple of other items. I have done some teleworking today.

This has been my first cold since before March of 2020; whatever else you can say about them, social distancing and telework have reduced the spread of contagious diseases. I don’t feel deathly ill, but I have felt tired and uncomfortable. Just maybe, I could have knocked out the cold the first day if I had been able to hit the viruses with multiple zinc lozenges.

I was able to go to the optometrists’ office mid-day Monday, and pick up my new frame with the lenses inserted therein, so now I can read without difficulty. That’s good.

I’ve been troubled by a backache today. It isn’t always bad, but when I try to rise and become active again after sitting or lying down, my lower back muscles and left hip complain. I’ve been taking aspirin, something which I don’t often do, so that my bottle of aspirin expired many moons ago. I doubt that acetylsalicylic acid rots, but I still plan to get a replacement bottle.

I saw the optometrist a few weeks ago, and this morning, I went in to have my spectacles repaired, and new lenses placed therein. It took some time while, if I understand correctly, the lenses were ground to fit within the frames. While that was going on, I tried to read the newspaper and Science News using a pair of old glasses from years ago.; they were good enough for distant objects, but not very good for reading.

Things may be a bit sharper now.

I remember, when I went to the doctor two weeks ago, she asked whether I experienced joint pain, and I said no. More recently, my right hip joint has been bothering me, especially today. I’m not seventeen years old any more.

I took an aspirin, and hope that the problem will subside on its own. If it doesn’t, I’ll seek medical attention.

About eight and a half hours ago, I got my COVID-19 booster shot (Moderna). My shoulder is mildly sore, but I feel well otherwise. Right after the jab, I said, “Take that, omicron variant!” to the apparent amusement of the pharmacy technician (or whatever her exact job title is).

I have tried to sign up for a COVID-19 booster, but ran into trouble with the CVS website, first some days ago, and again a couple of hours ago. I’ll try again.

Today I got my second COVID-19 vaccination (Moderna) at the same CVS store where I got my first one four weeks ago. My deltoid muscle is a little sore, but so far I don’t feel feverish or altogether wiped out. I hope that I continue to feel pretty good, while my immune system nevertheless steps up its production of anti-COVID-19 antibodies.

I have pre-registered on the Commonwealth of Virginia website, and once they’re giving COVID-19 vaccinations to people my age with no major health problems or other reasons for special priority, I should receive a notification, and be able to make an appointment. I hope it won’t be more than a few weeks, or perhaps even less.

I walked and jogged two miles to the doctors’ office Friday morning for my annual checkup, and with an empty stomach, since they do bloodwork on fasting patients. I got a tetanus-diphtheria booster as well as a checkup, ate a first installment of breakfast, and walked the two miles back.

If nothing else, I got some healthful exercise this morning.