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It is a historical document.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:

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Week 30 - Missed

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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
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Week 10 of school - 10th COVID-19 Test

Week 10 - tenth test.

Week 10 of school began with me getting the booster shot and ended with me working all weekend helping the Seniors get their portraits at school… so I didn’t get to the COVID-19 test until Monday afternoon. 

This past week I learned that the little sister of a high school friend was in the hospital because of COVID-19. She was no longer responding to treatment and was not conscious. They took her off the machine today and she passed.

I see more and more people without masks in public places indoors and it scares me. 

I will continue to wear a mask while indoors, while on a school campus and while outdoors in crowds where I will be within a foot of someone I don’t live with. 

I am around hundreds of kids each week and I don’t want to be responsible for infecting them with the virus and possibly causing them to infect a loved one. And I don’t want to bring anything home to my family and friends. 

I mask up because I care more about you than the inconvenience of wearing a piece of cloth over my mouth and nose. When you see a mask on me, it’s an act of love. Because I love you. 

Rest In Peace, M.

#lovemovesfirst

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Week 9 of school. 9th COVID-19 test.

Week 9 of school. 9th COVID-19 test.

Talked with a college professor who told me about a student of hers “young, strong man” who is on a breathing tube right now because he contracted COVID-19. He lost his father to the virus in September… now he’s battling for life. Prayers for healing.

Students are still contracting it. We get almost daily updates about cases at either the kids’ school or mine. Prayers for healing.

Hoping to get the booster soon for an added level of comfort.

Still masking.

Still preferring the slight inconvenience over the risk of infecting someone.

Still trying to let love lead.

Still failing at times, getting angry and falling down.

Still getting up and apologizing.

Still protecting myself so I can help protect my fellow humans.

Still love you.

#LoveMovesFirst

Week 1 - link
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Week 8 of School. 8th COVID-19 test.

 End of week 8. Eighth COVID-19 test.

Still staying cautious. Still making personal decisions to be concerned for my students, family, friends and fellow coworkers’ health. Still trying to follow the love God, do no harm and help those in need principle.

When I learn new information, before I share it I look up the source to assure its accuracy. I wish others would as well… it would really go a long way to have folks out there spouting truth instead of quoting unfounded and unresearched ramblings of talk-show host activists who gain ratings by being divisive.

I wear a mask because it’s proven to be effective.
I got the vaccine because it was scientifically proven to be the best was to combat getting COVID-19.
I will get the booster as soon as available to me as I understand the effectiveness of it and will provide me with more ability to protect you from exposure to the virus.

I protect myself in order to protect you and all whom you find precious.
I love you.
#LoveMovesFirst

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Week 7 of school. 7th COVID-19 test.

Week 7 of school. 7th COVID-19 test. 

Allergies. That’s the scary thing this week. So many students with sniffles… blowing their noses in class… coughing. It’s scary, y’all. For real. 

I started with a sore throat on Thursday…. Began taking Zyrtec daily… and that’s helping… but man… nobody knows the difference between a “you need to quarantine” cough and allergies. Not even I.

So…. I continue to mask, because I love you and want to make sure you are safe. 

I continue to mask because I teach 150+ students and all of them have loved ones whom are protected because I wear this mask to protect the students. 

I wear a mask because it represents more than just a piece of cloth. It represents the fact that the safety of the world around me is important to me. 

Even though I’m vaccinated.

Even outside in crowds. 

Even though I’m healthy. 

Even though.

It’s an act of kindness. 

It’s an act of love. 

Agape.

Have a safe week, y’all.

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6th week of school. 6th COVID-19 test.

6th week of school. 6th COVID-19 test.

Trying hard to stay safe. Doing it because I love you. I don’t want to risk getting you or any of my students sick. And even though you might feel safe being without a mask… I wear my mask to protect myself… so folks who don’t know they’re sick don’t get me sick.

I pray those who are able to get vaccinated and aren’t at this point decide to get it done.

Love you.

#LoveMovesFirst

Week 1 - link
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5th COVID test… 5th week of school.

5th COVID test… 5th week of school. 

Took it on a Monday because I worked all weekend at school (Senior Portraits).

Currently 2 of my students are on quarantine. Still wearing my mask when inside and not eating. I had the chance to go to the UT game last weekend… I declined because I’ve seen photos from several sporting events where many if not most are unmasked. Not I. Even if I’m outside… if it’s a crowd… it’s mask for me. I am currently not attending meetings/services/gatherings indoors where there is not a mask mandate because I love y’all and don’t want to be the reason you get ill. I don’t want to possibly infect my students. 

So far I’m fine. I intend to stay that way. And I’m going to continue to do my part to insure I don’t put you in danger. 

Vaccinated.

Masked.

Hoping you care enough to do the same. 

Love you.

#LoveMovesFirst

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Week 4 of school. 4th COVID-19 test.

Long day… good day.. but wanted to update 4th COVID-19 test taken today. Keeping as safe as possible still. 

They cancelled my appointment in Kyle because the Curative testing center was on the same grounds as an “Emergency Preparedness Fair.”

My first thought? How ironic. 

My wife was able to get me a 3P in Buda so all worked out. 

Love you. 

I mask for you. 

I test to assure I don’t get you sick. 

You’re worth it.

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Week 3 of school. 3rd COVID-19 test.

Third week of school… third test.

I ran school pictures this week. I saw every student who was in attendance over 2 days. So… just to be safe… I test.

This week…

- my friend who was on the mend from COVID-19 last week is still on the mend.. still can’t work and is on oxygen.

- found out 2 more unvaccinated men I know came down with COVID-19 and are isolated from their families now.

- The family who’s kiddo got it on the first day of Kinder? The rest of the family got it over the last week… so… day 1 of school in a non-mask mandated school district literally got a family of 5 (parents are vaccinated) sick.

- The City of Kyle smartly (IMO) decided to cancel the Labor Day weekend festival this year… because of the risk and lack of room in hospitals.

- there are 56 people currently hospitalized in Hays County with COVID-19 and 2,111 people with COVID-19.

- 324 people in Hays County have died.

I’m masking up.

Inside 100% of the time.

Outside when I’m in a group and might be getting close.

I’m testing weekly.

I’m doing everything I can in order to try and keep my fellow humans as safe as possible.

I love hugs.

I like doing my part to help my loved ones as safe as possible a little more than hugging though.

In case you didn’t know it… that last sentence was about you. YOU are one of my loved ones.

#LoveMovesFirst 

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Week 2 of School - 2nd COVID-19 Test

I went and got my 2nd COVID test of the 2021-22 school year. More folks getting their kids swabbed than I’ve ever seen. Truly sad scene.

In the last few weeks In people I know… I’ve seen:

• a kindergartener contract COVID on their first day of school… and their mother and sibling got it… now their family is living apart so the rest of the family doesn’t get infected. 
• a “healthy” friend in their 60s who doesn’t socially distance contracted COVID and has gone through 2 weeks of in and out of the hospital and hopefully has turned the corner.
• a friend who’s anti-mask / anti-vax sibling contracted COVID and they’re now planning the funeral after a week in the hospital.
• A friend in their late 30s who contracted COVID, almost died. He is not out of the woods yet. He is not vaccinated. 
• Got emails from too many parents (I’m in charge of photos/IDs next week) who have their kid at home quarantining so they can’t be at school because someone they were in close contact with at school has COVID and they’re not vaccinated.

There is nothing I can say to convince those who won’t get vaccinated. There is nothing I can post to convince people who won’t mask to do so.

Explaining to people who perpetuate made-up  home remedies and vitamin packs in place of a vaccine that their unfounded opinions are literally KILLING people doesn’t work.

All I can do is be an example. I will continue to test weekly, wear a mask and socially distance as much as I am able. 

Why? Because I care. 

I love you. 

I pray you will do what is best for you and those who are occupying your airspace. 

#lovemovesfirst

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First COVID-19 Test of the 2021-22 Schoolyear

Hi, I'm a High School Teacher in Texas. 

I am taking weekly COVID-19 tests during this school year to lower the risk that I put any of the students, their families and/or loved ones in harms way.

I'm doing this because it's the responsible thing to do. It's my way to let love lead.

As an educator, as a person who is in an indoor setting with hundreds of individuals a week, as a human who cares about you. #LoveMovesFirst

This is Week 1:

Who knew the first test for the 2021-22 school year would be a nose swab?

Just being extra cautious… I should be fine… but if I’m in charge of teaching kids… I believe I should lead by example.

 Result:

My Journey:

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