It starts with a fever and a dry cough. You were so careful, but with widespread community transmission, it was only a matter of time.

On the third day, you find yourself unable to talk. You feel like you should be concerned by this, but you aren't. In fact, you feel calmer than you have in a long time.

On the fifth day, you notice your breathing speeding up and slowing down. They say that this is the virus establishing its control over your autonomic nervous system. On the sixth day, you notice your heart rate doing the same.

On the seventh day, you find your thoughts settling into a comforting rhythm. First, you think about the vastness of the universe. Then you think about the tranquility of a quiet forest. Then, for a time, you think about nothing at all.

On the eighth day, you notice your memories becoming weaker. You know there was a time when you didn't have the virus, but it feels increasingly distant and foreign.

On the tenth day, you find yourself singing from time to time. You do not recognize the language, but the melody feels hauntingly familiar.

On the eleventh day, you stop thinking.