15th – 27th January 2022

You will not believe me that for the second time in 2 months, we were once again in 14 days quarantine as Emilka once again tested positive at a PCR test on Saturday 15th January. 

She was supposed to go camping with school, had “sniffles” the night before and did a home antigen test, which to our shock was positive.  Misa and myself had negative tests, but the Sri Lanka Ministry Of Health strict rules forced us back into quarantine and Emilka into isolation. 

Steve and our Czech friends were lucky to escape as having each tested negative on Wednesday 12th, they departed as planned for Europe on Thursday night; Steve for the UK and the others for Czech via Austria.  Each tested negative again with their arrivals tests. 

Misa and Emilka were remote schooling AGAIN (poor kids) but at least I had time spent with them, which was nice.  Emi had no symptoms at all this time, one day maybe tired and with bones pain – she was hoping it was growing pains as she is still very petite and wishes to grow a little bit more.

She did an antigen test on Thursday 20th January and it was negative, so she could get out of her room where she was spending her isolation after 5 days and we could hug again. She was very brave being in solitary confinement for that long, hence reuniting with us was extra special with a McDonalds dinner hand delivered by our dear friend Rajeev as a treat for victory.  Misa had also negative antigen test on Thursday.

As a consequence of our isolation, unfortunately I had to postpone a midwifery workshop (empower to empower – back to basic normal birth and communication with kindness) in one government hospital I was supposed to conduct last Friday and I also missed the baby’s birth of a woman I was supporting during pregnancy.   She did really well though, so my preparation of her and her husband appears to have helped.

Such is life though.   I am still confused and we will never know why Emi’s antigen tests and PCR were positive even though she was absolutely fine with no visible symptoms.  False positive results?   Infection still detectable from early December? Another variant of Covid?  We will never know. 

At the beginning of this week (24th January) I contacted the school begging them to give them only 10 days of quarantine, as that is what the WHO has been suggesting since 2020 when having one vaccination  and Covid in December, but no luck.   They are doing exams, everyone is at school and they felt they may be disadvantaged. They are actually missing the face to face interaction from their teachers so much, however accepted the way of life and 14 days in isolation. 

My “freedom day” was originally Wednesday 26th January and M&E’s Sunday 30th January, but as of today (27th January), we learned that the rules have changed again and we each should have been free from 23rd January.

I contacted the school again today to advise of the new regulations that have come into force today, reducing quarantine and isolation from 14 days to 7.  To my surprise, the school agreed and allowed Misa and Emilka to join their classes in person.  They are delighted of course, and looking forward to using the bus service again tomorrow morning at 6.25 across the road.

How long for this time? Last year it was 3 weeks and the schools closed again.  Let us hope that this time it will be longer. 

Rennie