Catching a Cold
I haven’t caught a cold (or the flu) since pre-COVID. I would attribute this to most of the precautions we all took over the last few years, especially masking up at work. Workplaces always seemed the most notorious breeding grounds for colds and flu. All too often, our symptomatic co-workers venture in to work when they should be home in bed. It’s not so much that they play the hero but it’s more or less dur to the fact that in the US, employers are stingy when it comes to time off for any reason. Since in many cases, PTO is also included in sick time, most people are loathe to give up time that they could use for a vacation (and rightly so). In addition, many bosses can be real jerks about employees who call in sick. I should know because I was one of those supervisors. It was mostly unconscious on my part but when faced with staff shortages, deadlines, budgetary considerations, and other pressures, the onus is placed on middle-level managers to meet performance goals with little support. Seeing that someone has called out sick only adds to the never-ending pile of crap to deal with. That’s why I left it all behind because it will not change in my lifetime.
But I digress. Here I am now in Barcelona with a head cold. It’s not the flu, no fever or muscle aches. I doubt it’s COVID. Les and I were vaccinated for the latest COVID strain in September and I got my flu shot in October. What I did need was some good kick-ass medicine. In Spain, over-the-counter meds are not sold in supermarkets or convenience stores as in the US. The only place to buy them is an actual “farmacia.” These are easily distinguishable by the lighted green cross that just out from the building (unlike in Arizona, it does not indicate a cannabis dispensary). Some of the crosses are red but we haven’t yet learned what they mean. At any rate, in order to procure medicine, one must speak directly with the pharmacist, The few I’ve seen behind the counter appear rather gruff and a bit scary so that might be enough to cure anyone. Plus, to gain entry, you have to ring the doorbell. It’s all rather mysterious but once inside, you approach the counter and explain your symptoms to the individual behind the counter. In my best beginners-level Spanish, I told the pharmacist that I had a cold and what my symptoms were. He asked if I wanted liquid medicine, tablets, or capsules. I told him capsules would be fine. I purchases a box of Frenadol (made by our “friends” Johnson & Johnson). It worked like a charm! It’s much better than feeling jittery from Dayquil or groggy from Nyquil. Hopefully, I won’t need to use all the capsules in case Les catches my cold, which wouldn’t surprise me. After just one day of rest, I should be back to normal and with any luck, this will be the only cold of the season.
The “Wonder” Drug
