Several weeks ago, I had the chance to attend a Hozier concert.
It was an amazing experience. Hozier is an incredible lyricist and his fans are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. I was lucky enough to be in GA and ended up only three people back from the rail. (I love GA shows. They encourage dancing like absolutely nothing else.)
So, when I developed a sore throat a couple of days later, I was surprised that it took this long to kick in. Given my training as a singer, I can scream for two hours straight without hurting my throat, so I wasn’t too worried about going hoarse after the concert. However, it actually got worse as the night went on, and I was taken aback when I looked at my throat in the mirror after getting home from work.
This was not just a post-concert scratchy throat.
I went in for a strep test and a Covid test, but both came out negative. Thus began the mystery of my symptoms. With no fever, it couldn’t be the flu, and sinus issues usually start with congestion, which I didn’t have at first. It rapidly settled in my chest. Given my vaccination status and overall health, it didn’t seem to be pertussis either. Interestingly, my symptoms first appeared on November 3, just after attending the show on November 1. As of today, November 14, I’m still dealing with the aftermath. I was out of work for a week due to the fatigue and difficulty breathing. I’m on the tail end of it, but it’s still ongoing, likely RSV at this point. It could have all been avoided if I hadn’t forgotten to wear my mask at the concert.
Covid cases are decreasing, but it’s not the only concern. This is what the CDC refers to as “respiratory season,” meaning everything from colds and flu to strep and pneumonia are on the rise. In 2020, a study found that the number of reported influenza cases dramatically decreased when mask-wearing was widespread. This illustrates the importance of wearing masks not only for Covid, but also for other infectious diseases.
So do yourself and others a favor – consider getting your seasonal vaccinations and wearing a mask when out and about. It can prevent not just severe illnesses, but also inconvenient symptoms for a couple of weeks.
If you made it to the end, you can understand why I have no regrets about attending the Hozier concert. If you know Hozier only from “Take Me To Church,” it’s time you learn more, especially if you’re a fan of blues.
