I’ll never forget the day my world turned upside down. I was 16, a junior in high school, and had just tested positive for COVID-19. I felt like my life was put on pause.
At first, I was in denial. “I’m fine, I’m just tired,” I thought. But as the days went by, my body ached, and my lungs felt like they were on fire, I mean I only watched this on TV while the statistics went on a staggering high trajectory. I couldn’t taste or smell anything, and even water felt like sandpaper in my throat. I felt so weak and helpless.
I was stuck in my room, missing school, my friends, and the freedom to go outside. I won’t lie to you, as everyone around me had this beautiful early morning wake up, I couldn’t sleep by day 2 of the fever intensifying. I felt like I was losing myself, trapped in a never-ending cycle of isolation. I’d lay in bed, feeling sorry for myself, wondering why this had to happen to me. I felt like I was missing out on everything – school dances, sports games, and hangouts with friends.
By Mwesaka Allan
Makerere College
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