Reporter's Notebook: My "Positive" Covid-19 Test Result

After writing dozens of coronavirus pandemic stories since last winter, I have now become one of the millions of Americans who have tested "positive" for Covid-19.

The results of my SARS-CoV-2 antigen test appeared in black-and-white on a sheet handed to me Monday afternoon at a site operated by Broome County outside the Vestal Public Library.

I'm grateful that the rapid testing facility was available to confirm what I suspected when I was not able to smell or taste my first cup of coffee on Saturday.

I am only one of the 9,335 people in New York State who received a positive Covid-19 test result on Monday. That was 5.74 percent of those who were tested on that day.

Since the pandemic started, there have been 7,200 confirmed coronavirus cases in Broome and Tioga counties. In those two counties alone, 209 people have died due to Covid-19. More than 6,100 people have recovered.

Aside from losing my ability to smell or taste things, I have only minor symptoms. I'm fortunate that I was able to host Tuesday's Binghamton Now program remotely and I am still able to continue to report the news of our community.

I'm looking forward to making a full recovery. I hope others who are dealing with Covid-19 do the same.

In the meantime, please wear a mask and cover your nose. I encourage everyone to follow the health guidelines to do everything possible to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.

I am disappointed that despite my diligent efforts to follow the guidelines over the last nine months, I've been infected. But I believe that it helped slow the spread of the coronavirus and I know that goal is more important now than ever.

Bob Joseph, hosting the "Binghamton Now" program remotely, on December 8, 2020.