Every once in a while, I wish I were still in Atlanta. I ended up kinda stranded there this summer because the pandemic and subsequent lockdown started 5 days into my (what I thought would be) 2 or 3 week trip. I couldn’t think of better way to be stranded in such circumstances though; with one of my bestest friends, outside the city, protected, with the time and space to really slow my life down. Don’t get me wrong, I’m SUPER grateful for this apartment I moved into at the beginning of November here in LA - it’s a huge milestone for me. But what I miss about my time in Atlanta is that I had the luxury of being in strict quarantine. We didn’t leave the block except for twice a month to go get groceries. I’ve not been able to make that happen for me here since I got back to LA in August. That’s why I get tested as many times as I can. Every 14 - 20 days, to be exact. I’ve had both nasal tests and mouth swabs. All 6 of the tests I’ve taken since July have come back negative, praise God. I’m going to Dodger Stadium with my roommate today to get another test. I really hope it comes back negative again.
I’ve been using the CORE + Curative service here in LA to schedule my free tests - check them out if you’re here or even Chicago, Georgia, New Orleans, the Navajo Nation, Washington DC, or even North Carolina. Before I left Atlanta, I used the Georgia Department of Public Health website to schedule my first test before I had to travel back here - they were also free, and the people at the testing site I used were extremely organized and professional.
Look, I’m not saying you need to be as much of a freak as me about getting tested. I’m doing this because I’m still getting remote auditions, and I want my agents to be able to tell casting directors that not only am I the most fabulous actress they’re EVER gonna get, I’m also COVID-free and ready to work. And also it’s important for me to know my status, since I’m not in the position to stay inside 14 days at a time.
It probably won’t be until June or July until little old you and I have a chance to get the vaccine, so protect yourself, please. Make sure you’re getting restful sleep, take your vitamin D, do a ginger + turmeric shot with oregano oil every once in a while, drink bone broth once a week. Ya know, the usual. Take care.
