As I write this from under piles of blankets on Day 5 of quarantine with a pounding headache and painful cough, I am humbled.
The threat of COVID-19 isn't over and this is your friendly reminder to do your part to help keep your community safe.
I thought I was doing enough — I am double vaccinated and wear a mask — but, in hindsight, I see I had started to let my guard down. I was allowing my social bubble to grow and I was going out and about more frequently.
Ironically enough, I was going to get my booster shot this past week.
"But you're sick. Isn't that proof the vaccines don't work?" asked a family member.
I'm not in hospital. That's evidence enough for me.
As hospitalizations climbed to an all-time high last week, with more than 1,100 patients requiring care, the strain on the Alberta health-care system can't be ignored.
How bad is it, you ask? It's bad enough that the premier announced Jan. 20 that more than 600 nursing students were being called up by Alberta Health Services to help out.
So, while I sit here feeling like a solid three out of 10, I think about how significantly worse this could be if I wasn't vaccinated.
Do your part to take care of your friends, grandma, workmates and neighbours. Wash those hands, mask up and get a vaccine if you can. Stay home if you are feeling unwell and check in with pals you know are isolating alone.
