It may seem like life is getting back to normal, but the coronavirus is still a pretty big fear. That means it's important to be safe any time you leave the house. One of the latest celebrities to open up about the virus is Jill Duggar, who recently admitted she was tested.
Jill Duggar — known now by her married name of Jill Dillard — is one of the most interesting Duggar kids for a reason. Currently, she seems to be feuding with her parents, Michelle and Jim Bob. It all started when it was revealed that Jill and her husband, Derick, didn't celebrate Christmas with their extended family.
While Jill isn't seen on television these days as much as her siblings, she's still keeping us updated on her life. Jill and Derick have the Dillard Family Blog, where she often talks about parenting her two sons, Israel and Samuel. But these days, she's talked more about the strange health symptoms she's been having.
The tough part about the virus is that it seems to present differently in different people. Plus, it seems like nobody is immune to it. Little kids can catch it, as well as seniors. For some, it can be deadly. Others just suffer from minor inconveniences. Still, it's something you should prepare for.
When you hear Jill Duggar's symptoms, it may seem alarming. However, she seems to have a good support system by her side.
Jill has been prepared since April, when she left the house for the first time to pick up a new tree. It may seem like a bit of a frivolous trip out; however, sometimes getting out is good for your mental health. "I don't like to think of myself as an emotional purchaser, but I have to say there was something therapeutic & satisfying about getting a tree," she said on Instagram.
But on June 9, the family blog talked about Jill needing to get tested. "A few weeks ago we decided to get tested for coronavirus after we all suddenly started running fevers and had body aches and some of the other symptoms consistent with the coronavirus," she wrote. "While continuing to quarantine, some of the symptoms persisted and a few more developed, so we went back and this time they just retested me. Those results also came back negative a few days later."
Jill's symptoms included a strange rash on her arm, and burning feet. "My toes are like … my feet are like, burning — this weird, burning feeling," she said. She figured that it's better to be safe than sorry. And since she has two kids to take care of, it's even more urgent.
Jill recorded her test, which happened as a passenger in the car. While it's not the way any of us would imagine a medical test being done just six or seven months ago, it's one of the safest ways to get tested. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been greatly impacted by and/or lost loved ones due to the coronavirus," Jill and her family stated.
Jill's honesty about the test and getting tested is wonderful, since she has such a big following. The 29-year-old hasn't been afraid to talk about some of the tough parts of parenting. Because she comes from such a large family, you might assume that parenting would just come naturally to her.
But she's admitted that even two kids is a lot to deal with. "Back home with these kiddos and they're back into trouble," she mentioned in an Instagram post. "Sam emptied nearly a whole roll of toilet paper into the toilet because he wanted the 'trumpet.'"
Since many people expected the Duggar kids to have big families based on their background, it's almost refreshing to have one of them admit that it's harder than it looks. In the past, she's also mentioned that certain days are more stressful than others. So it makes sense if Jill isn't interested in adding to her family at the moment.
But she's still got plenty of babies in her family to celebrate. Sister Jinger just announced she was pregnant with her second daughter with husband Jeremy Vuolo. They gave birth to their first, Felicity Nicole Vuolo, back in 2018. And several of Jill's other siblings have children, so Jill's kids have plenty of cousins.
But it's probably safe to keep them all separated for a little while longer. Big gatherings are still frowned upon, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Luckily, the Duggar kids all seem pretty plugged into technology, so surely they've caught up with video chats much like the rest of us.
While Jill and her family ended up OK, it's a good reminder to always err on the side of caution. If you're feeling sick, the best thing to do is stay home. And if your symptoms seem to match the symptoms of COVID-19, it's good to get a test done to see if you happened to catch it.
Jill's video was also brave in that it showed how extreme the coronavirus test really is. As you can see, they inserted the swab deep into her nostrils. Luckily, Jill took it like a champ — but it's not necessarily a pleasant experience. Still, better safe than sorry.
Curious about the worrisome symptoms? The CDC believes that fever, coughing, and shortness of breath are the top three. Fatigue, muscle aches, and loss of taste or smell is also up there. While rashes aren't very common, they do appear on occasion — especially in children and young adults. So Jill had reason to worry.
Since Jill has been off the air for a bit, the best ways to catch up with her are through Instagram and the family blog. This break away from television may be just what her family needs — especially since it's been rumored that she's fighting with her parents over not being paid for her appearances.
Hopefully, they find a way to reconnect — or at least make amends — soon. But no matter what, it seems like Jill is happy, content, and healthy right now. That's the part that matters most. Hopefully, anyone who's thinking about getting a test uses Jill as an example of why it's a good idea.
Always check with your health care provider concerning any symptoms you may be experiencing, and seek the most accurate information from the CDC and your state’s health department.
