'Covid left me in agony and killed my friend – people who ignore it are selfish'

It was like a switch, one day I woke up to a pain au chocolat treat, suddenly my taste and smell vanished. Ofcourse it was coronavirus, it’s not like Waitrose would dare make something tasteless at the bakery. Can you imagine?

Since coronavirus emerged in 2020, I’ve been concerned about the severity of the virus and how blasé some of my friends have been towards it.

Yes, most of my friends are aged between 19-21, but dismissing this virus and the implications on those who are vulnerable, is incredibly selfish and dangerous.

Even I was guilty at some point of minimising how menacing this virus is. Sadly, my late friend Lady Alexandra Sykes, died from coronavirus after she returned to London from her holiday in Gstaad.

She would send me daily updates about the virus, starting in December 2019 when there was a bit of news of a virus emerging in China.

We were both laughing at memes, horrified at those dead on the streets in Wuhan, and would watch the occasional BBC News World reports on an infection that was slowly spreading in Asia.

I truly thought nothing of it. Fast forward a few months, I received the terrible news that Lady Sykes had passed away and the cause of death was the virus.

I was totally shocked and ferociously upset I didn’t even get to say goodbye (in the least cliché way possible).It was a hideously cold feeling that engulfed me, that someone so close, who knew everyone in London, a true socialite, would be taken by this disease that preyed on the sociable.

Even back in March 2020, we didn’t realise the true extent and devastation this virus would erupt on the UK and rest of the world. Even I dismissed the virus at times, arrogantly thinking that because I was 20, isolating and locking down was a waste of time.

However, after experiencing some of the worst symptoms of Covid-19, it was very silly to diminish the dangers this virus poses to the population.

Now, that’s why it angers me when anti-vaxxers spew their ill-informed bile to the masses. Regurgitating bilge they’ve discovered on Facebook, originating from out-of-touch conspiracy theorists who think the vaccine is tracking them or 5G towers are spreading it. Total bullsh*t.

Hence why I took a stand on Good Morning Britain last month, making my message clear for under-30s to get vaccinated.

Whether you agreed with all aspects of my argument or not, without the vaccine and herd immunity, we wouldn’t be experiencing the level of freedom that we all enjoy today.

A stark contrast to March 2020, around the start of this pandemic, when we couldn’t even go for a walk more than once. I’m now isolating, after recently testing positive for Covid-19, and I wanted to provide a log of my experiences to inform those who haven’t had the virus of what symptoms to look out for.

Additionally, to reassure readers who might also be isolating and want to learn about how other people are handling Covid-19.

9/07/21

It’s 12am in Heaven nightclub in London, I popped outside and the queue was stretching to Charing Cross train station. Hundreds of people in their 20s and 30s ready to party all night to celebrate the end of masks indoors,social distancing, and the prohibition of nightclubs. It was an amazing night.

My friends and I had such fun and it was liberating to be around people dancing, singing, and without masks or being two metres apart. I took a rapid test and was ‘negative’ before attending and tested ‘negative’ later that day.

Also that day, I was invited by my friend, Richard Vines, to his retirement party in the City of London. Again, the venue was full and everyone was required to test ‘negative’ for the virus before attending. Everything seemed fine, we had a great time, and I left after a few hours.

21/07/21

My friend and I attended an awards ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel and a press night at the Royal Albert Hall which celebrated the best of West End musicals. It was incredible. The likes of Kerry Ellis from Wicked and Cats performed and we adored every moment. The entire event was broadcast on BBC Radio 2, hosted by Ruthie Henshall, in front of thousands of people.

The Hall was completely packed. Barely any masks inside, no social distancing, just proof of double vaccination or a ‘negative’ antigen test at least 24 hours before entry. I tested the next day and, again, a ‘negative’ result.

25/07/21

Another party. This time, my friend was hosting a birthday gathering in Canary Wharf and I attended with around ten other guests. It was a fabulous night of Champagne, games, chocolate cake, and good company. I had no symptoms whatsoever, tested ‘negative’ before arriving, and left without any symptoms too.

26/07/21

After recovering from a night of drinking, I woke up very early and felt aching all over my legs, a sharp headache, persistent cough, and lacking any taste or smell. I instantly started to worry and feared the worst: I must’ve caught Covid-19.

Now, was this virus incubating from Heaven, mixed with hundreds of people; amongst the crowds at my friend’s retirement party, awards ceremony at the Dorchester, Royal Albert Hall performances; or at my friend’s birthday party in Canary Wharf.

I had no idea. I just couldn’t taste the crispy pastry of my Waitrose pain au chocolat and I was aghast. I took a lateral flow test, it showed a ‘positive’ result, immediately started isolating (didn’t leave my house that day), and booked a PCR test for the next day.

27/07/21

PCR test day. I travelled to my local testing centre and stuck a swab down my throat, up my nose, and sent off the sample. Soon enough, I got confirmation of what the rapid test displayed. I definitely had Covid-19. It was a strange feeling. Although I was already certain I had it, after matching the classic symptoms, the PCR test was a definitive conclusion.

I felt disgustingly awful. Terrible nasal congestion, a chesty cough that I was already treating with antibiotics, and muscle aching across my body that was excruciating. I could barely sleep because the twisting pain throughout my legs was unbelievable and certainly nothing I’ve experienced before.

28/07/21

Symptoms remain pretty much the same. Slight changes to taste and smell, where I simply couldn’t taste even the strongest of flavours, like garlic, chilli, various herbs, and even Marmite! Not only was I feeling terrible, but even a restorative Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was a total waste of time because I was unable to taste it.

All the while, I’m moving like a cat with fleas, trying to find a comfortable position on the sofa whilst my legs were ringing with a dull aching sensation that was painfully insatiable. Ended my day with a 30 minute call with NHS Track & Trace. Stuff of dreams!

29/07/21

Ocado order organised, pretty pointless as I still couldn’t taste, but was feeling very hungry. I decided to watch at least five films on Netflix and caught-up on work emails.

Would I rather ten days locked away in London or ten days in Croatia? Hmm. I kept dreaming of the rocky beaches, clear seas, and hot weather; whilst feeling totally clammy, achy, and miserable. Not even a glass of Laurent-Perrier could ease the agony.

30/07/21

Symptoms have improved. Which is a good sign. Aching has completely gone, which surprised me. However,my smell and taste is completely desensitised. I caught-up with my friends over the phone, some of whom also tested ‘positive’, with similar busy social schedules and no idea of exactly where they might’ve caught the virus.

Some of my friends have dealt with constant sneezing, rashes, similar aching, short breath, and very concerning signs they reported to their GP in case of escalation. These are the same friends that dismissed the virus and refused to take the vaccine. Surprise, surprise, they have all changed their tunes.

Next update tomorrow..

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk