I’m Positive… For Covid (Again)

I have been wanting more positivity in my life, but not in this way. What I thought was a normal cold and definitely not covid was, you guessed it, covid. This isn’t the first time I’ve gotten covid, though. It made sure I wasn’t alone on Valentine’s Day last year. I am stuck inside for a while, so I thought I would go over some of the differences between getting covid in early 2022 versus now.

As with most countries, covid was downgraded to the same category as the flu last month. While this made my time seeing Seventeen live much for fun, as we were allowed to sing and cheer while wearing masks, it means less support when you do get covid.

PCR Tests

During the pandemic, Tokyo residents were allotted free PCR tests at certain facilities. I used the service a few times to check that I was negative after getting covid and when I came into close contact with someone. That same test will now run you about 1,900 yen ($13.40), which still isn’t that bad compared to other clinics that charge around 10,000 yen ($70.50) for the same test.

Quarantine Length

The previous self-quarantine length was 10 days, and this could be done at your own residence or at a designated hotel. I opted to do it in my apartment, and I think the hardest part of self-quarantine was the fact that I was isolated for 10 days. That was too much alone time even for an introvert like myself. I did finally watch The Notebook, but I only got through it because my friend in America video-called me a couple of mornings. Ironically, the show she introduced me to at that time just came out with a new season recently.

As of May 8, 2023, people are not required by law to do any sort of quarantine. Previously, there were possible legal ramifications such as your name being released to the public and visas being withdrawn if someone broke quarantine. In countries like America, having your name be known to the public seems possibly silly, but one’s face (how one is perceived by others) in countries like Japan is a really big deal.

Currently, the government recommends staying away from people for at least 5 days. Fortunately, since my company allows remote work, I took two days of medical leave when my symptoms were at their worst, and I’ll spend the rest of my time doing remote work.

Daily Check-Ins

When I got covid a year and a half ago, one of the first things I had to do was download an app and register as someone who tested positive. It supposedly tracked my location and would anonymously notify others if they came in close contact with someone who had tested positive.

Those who tested positive had to send daily symptom and body temperature updates before 9 am.

Released in June 2020, the COCOA app was discontinued in late 2022 and I do not have to do any symptom reporting this time around.

Food

The first time I got COVID, there was a large investment in prevention as well as support for those who were sick. One service that was offered by the Tokyo government was a supply of food to those self-quarantining at home. The supply was supposed to only last 10 days, but there was so much more food than that. In addition to a small bottle of coffee and vegetable juice, there was a box of water, Polari Sweat (like Gatorade), and water that was slightly thickened. The food boxes consisted of a variety of packaged foods such as porridge, pasta & pasta sauce, curry, rice, canned fruit, and so much more.

Since covid is now in the same classification as the flu, food support isn’t available. Both times, Uber Eats has been a saving grace when I’m really craving something.

Going Forward

Resources for those who catch covid have understandably been reduced because the pandemic is “over”. That said, most local governments and prefectures still have hotlines for those who are worried about the virus or for those who get sick and don’t have an established doctor.

I can only speak for Tokyo, but the Tokyo hotlines are also available in different languages such as English, Spanish, and Korean. If you’re in Japan and get covid, stock up on food and check your city or ward’s website for a hotline to call.