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From Father Brian D’Arcy, a Catholic Passionist priest:
I never thought of myself as old. I do realise I’m in the departure lounge of life but I have no intention of flying anytime soon. This year changed all that. Every day since March I was reminded how vulnerable I am; I began to feel a burden to society; I must isolate from family, from shops and, critically, I cannot work as a priest in the way I used to or as I’d like to. I didn’t like it but I did as I was told because it was the right thing to do. However last month, I still caught the Covid virus despite taking every effort to stay safe. 
I was utterly shocked when 20 hours after taking a test, the message to my phone told me I’d tested positive, with strict instructions to isolate for ten days. Incredibly, my confidence plummeted instantly. I was scared, anxious and I began to feel really old. Two days later I had a horrible taste in my mouth; I was in a bad mood; my toes were dark blue; I have no words to adequately describe how tired I was. I couldn’t sleep because of a relentless cough; when I did sleep I couldn’t waken. The strict isolation led to depressing loneliness. I became obsessive about not passing Covid on. Worse still I couldn’t pray; my concentration and my memory deserted me. 
One night, at 4:00 a.m., I woke up frozen, lying face down on the floor of my little room. It took me ages to figure out I’d tumbled out of bed, dropped three feet onto the floor and didn’t even waken up. I was there for two hours. I should emphasise mine was a mild attack of Covid which didn’t need hospitalisation. Within the week I was able to begin light work again. I couldn’t broadcast though, because of breathing difficulties and a really foggy brain. Thankfully, most symptoms are gone now. I am grateful to be as strong as I am. I feel well again. So what did Covid teach me?  It’s simple actually. I understand deep down that if I have health I have hope and if I have hope I have everything.