Melissa Kite Melissa Kite

I’m not ill but I’m not as I was: how Covid takes its toll

If it’s true the virus attacks your weak spot then it’s done well with me as my head is all in a mess

The only thing that still tastes like it used to is fast food eaten in the car at a service station. Credit: Grandbrothers/Alamy 
issue 21 August 2021

If it’s true that the virus finds your weak spot, it has lodged itself like an evil monkey in my head. After departing from every other bit of my body, it was still in my brain. It told me I didn’t need friends any more. So, as I moped about the house ‘self-isolating’, I sent a series of very odd text messages, telling my friends what the monkey thought I thought of them.

The monkey also told me his theory that there is no such thing as long Covid. All Covid is long. I would never get over it: ‘Well, have the authorities bothered to conduct any research to find out if anyone who has survived this lurgy is feeling 100 per cent better after six months or a year?

‘Do you know anyone who says they are the same again?’ the monkey asked. Nearly a month down the line, I feel as if I have a slight head cold, though I don’t feel ill.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in