GLIMPSES: At Olympics, images from one visitor’s COVID scare

By: Matt Slocum, The Associated Press Posted: 12:06 AM CST Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 Last Modified: 4:41 AM CST Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022

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BEIJING (AP) — “Hey Matt.”

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BEIJING (AP) — “Hey Matt.”

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/02/2022 (1716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BEIJING (AP) — “Hey Matt.”

Nothing good ever follows that message from the boss. I try to think of anything I obviously screwed up, but I come up blank.

“Hi!”

An ambulance driver looks in the mirror while transporting Associated Press photographer Matt Slocum after a positive coronavirus test at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Beijing. Slocum was monitored for hours before testing negative and being cleared to go back to work. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

I reply, trying to get ahead of whatever I stepped in with an exclamation point.

“Your test from this morning came back positive.”

“Ugh.”

Halfway through my Olympic Games as an Associated Press photographer — just as ice hockey really gets flying at the National Indoor Stadium — I get grounded by COVID-19. I’m leaving a ton of work for my teammates.

Long days and short nights, halfway around the world from home. I don’t have time to be sick. I guess time will slow down now.

An official walks to an ambulance outside the National Indoor Stadium before transporting Associated Press photographer Matt Slocum after testing positive for coronavirus during the 2022 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Beijing. Slocum was monitored for hours before testing negative and being cleared to go back to work. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

I feel fine. No symptoms. And none in the last 27 days of self-health monitoring and temperature checks. I was doing well — even brought a thermometer to China. I didn’t take risks or have much fun.

While in Beijing, I’ve only traveled to the airport, hotel, media center, arena and slope, all from the back of the bus. Now, I make the same trip in an ambulance.