COVID-19 Testing through the 2021-22 School year

My name is Sean Claes. 

I am a high school teacher in Texas.

I teach at a district that required masks for the 2021-22 school year.

Beginning in August 2021, I decided I would take a COVID-19 test each week and write about it.

This is much more than a weekly test, it's something to help me cope with the things I see and experience as being in the world surrounded by the pandemic. 

It is a diary. 

It is a mission.

It is a historical document.

It is a first-person report from my perspective of what I see, experience and have loved ones experience dealing with COVID-19 on a daily basis.

My blog is called "Love Moves First"

I believe if one leads with love, they are moving forward with the intent to help not harm.

This is where I'll keep the links to the different weeks.

My Journey:

Week 1 - link
Week 2 - link
Week 3 - link

Week 4 - link

Week 5 - link

Week 6 - link

Week 7 - link

Week 8 - link

Week 9 - link

Week 10 - link

Week 11 - link

Week 12 - link

Week 13 - link

Week 14 - link

Week 15- link

Week 16 - link

Week 17 - link

Week 18 - link

Week 19 - link

Week 20 - link Week 21 - link

Week 22 - link

Week 23 - link

Week 24 - link

Week 25 - link  

Week 26 - link

Week 27 and 28 - link

Week 29 - link

Week 30 - Missed

Week 31 - link

Week 32 - link

Week 33 and 34 - link

Week 35 and 36 - link

Week 37 - link

Week 32 of school.
31st COVID-19 test 

I was approached at a meeting this week by a person in their 70s. She thanked me for wearing my mask inside as she was feeling like she wouldn’t because none of her friends were wearing theirs and my wearing mine gave her the courage to put hers on. 

How sad is that? Someone who is at risk wasn’t wearing a mask because she thought someone would point her out and make a comment. 

I’ve had that experience too. Comments (In a sarcastic tone) like “Oh, you don’t HAVE to wear a mask in here.” “You can take that thing off in here.” Or “Oh, you’re still doing that?”

I calmly explain that I’m a high school teacher and I am just taking extra precautions to do my best to protect the students and their loved ones as well as my own family who are immunocompromised. At this point, you do what makes you comfortable, and I will do the same.

I will continue to choose to attend or not attend meetings and events based on the protocols in place and my general feeling of safety. When I do, I will be masked inside and while in crowds. 

I do it because I love you. 

I do it because you should not feel pressured to “unmask” before you’re comfortable.

I do it because your health and safety is more important than me being slightly uncomfortable with foggy glasses. 

I do it because I am getting back out into the world and want to make sure I don’t get anyone else sick.

I do it because #LoveMovesFirst
I tested last Saturday. I was negative.

Week 26. 26th COVID-19 Test

Week 26. 26th COVID-19 test. 

What to say that hasn’t been said for the last 6 months. There’s still a pandemic. People are still getting sick and landing in the hospital. 

People who aren’t vaccinated at this point are making a personal choice. The problem with that is… that personal choice, if/when they get COVID-19, they make other people sick. If/when they land in the hospital, they take beds from people who need them (I have a relative who should be in the hospital after a surgery this week… but was sent home because beds are full with COVID-19 patients).

This isn’t political. This is life and death. 

Your personal choices are yours. 

When your choices adversely effect others, it crosses a line.

That is the line where you show your true self…. And when you surround yourself with people who believe that crossing the line is encouraged and acceptable, you become a parrot of hatred. You cause harm.

Me? I’m listening to qualified medical professionals who specialize in infectious diseases for my medical guidance. I’m working hard to love. I’m trying not to be dissuaded by people who respond to love with anger or seek to cause harm… or who simply act like they’re not concerned when they make choices that directly effect my family. 

I’m finding myself getting angry over little things that I used to shrug off. I’ve got to spend more time in silence and prayer this week and work on my heart. Because.  I love you. 

I challenge you, this week to…

Do no harm. Lead with love. 

Love moves first. 

#LoveMovesFirst

My test was negative. 

Here’s to being in a better headspace next week.

My Journey:

Week 1 - link
Week 2 - link
Week 3 - link

Week 4 - link

Week 5 - link

Week 6 - link

Week 7 - link

Week 8 - link

Week 9 - link

Week 10 - link

Week 11 - link

Week 12 - link

Week 13 - link

Week 14 - link

Week 15- link

Week 16 - link

Week 17 - link

Week 18 - link

Week 19 - link

Week 20 - link Week 21 - link

Week 22 - link

Week 23 - link

Week 24 - link

Week 25 - link  

Week 26 - link