Borrowing my daughter's mug and a few select books from my shelf to illustrate today's update: For those of you who didn't already see on Facebook, my wife tested positive for #COVID two days ago. It's baffling and maddening because we've all been SO careful since March--we stay self-contained in our apartment with just the four of us (my wife, my daughter, my 8-month-old grandson, and I). On the rare occasions we go out, briefly, to run errands or get groceries, we're always masked and are careful to wash our hands upon returning home. This damn virus is sneaky and wears black and hugs the shadows and tip-toes with its menacing knife. This is a warning to the rest of you to treat this virus with the utmost respect, if you aren't already. My wife started feeling lousy last week--extreme exhaustion, congestion, a sudden and mysterious rash, and a scratchy throat. At first, we assumed it was the "typical" symptoms of her thyroid condition (yes, she's one of the immunocompromised population who are at greatest risk of getting #coronavirus, so I've been her shield and protector all through this pandemic). But when she lost her sense of taste and smell last weekend, we feared the worst. Now my dear dear wife, my best friend in the whole wide world, is bedridden, throwing up, and weak with exhaustion. I am wrenched with worry, but I'm trying to cling to hopeful stories of survival from those who have already gone through this. Yesterday, my daughter, my grandson and I got tested. We're on pins & needles waiting for the results. The two of them have also been feeling sick with headaches and body aches (Ludo, my grandson, has been abnormally fussy and clingy). I myself have felt lethargic, but have no other symptoms so far. Our world, already tiny since March, has now shrunk to this 950-square-foot apartment and we wear masks whenever we come out of the individual rooms where we've tucked ourselves away. My goal, as the mug says, is to keep all my favorite humans (not just the tiny ones) alive. I'm sure we'll get through this, but it's pretty scary not knowing how the movie ends. Be safe, stay masked, and wash your hands like you were Lady Macbeth on cocaine. https://www.instagram.com/p/CHv1ZSyhNla/?igshid=doibdnkfwo8d