I have a habit for bad timing, just ask my friends, family and of course, my bosses.
But my timing was particularly poor last weekend when I fell ill with Covid-19 the day before I was due to get my second rather crucial vaccination.
Of course I couldn't go along for my jab after developing a cough and a fever and while my first couple of Lateral Flow tests were negative, the third told me what I already knew to be true, I had been struck down with the virus.
Read more: 'Terrified' Liverpool doctors issue grim Covid hospital update
A PCR followed, but by the time I received the text confirming my positive result I was fully engrossed in what would go on to be an all encompassing and deeply unpleasant episode.
I'm writing this for a few reasons.
One, because I've been stuck in bed all week and able to do very little else and have felt an overwhelming urge to write (there are only so many Netflix re-runs you can dip in and out of consciousness to).
But the main reason is to just encourage everyone to ensure they get that second vaccine.
If it can help you to avoid the week that I have just had, I would strongly recommend it.
For reference, I'm 32-years-old, anyone who has ever played football with me would hesitate to call me 'fit', but I usually exercise pretty regularly and have no underlying health conditions.
And of course I had my first vaccine.
Despite this, covid got me really bad - and I'm still suffering with it.
At the worst point my partner considered calling an ambulance as I struggled to catch my breath as the fever, that had prompted a couple of particularly interesting hallucinations, threatened to keep soaring.
Thankfully things didn't go quite that far and I rallied a little.
I was physically unable to move out of bed for three days, then after a brief and daring foray downstairs to the sofa I was sent back to my pit a few hours later, as the virus was not done with me yet.
My partner, who has been incredibly caring and patient (even more so than usual when living with me), was double jabbed some time ago - she has continued to test negative for the virus and thankfully doesn't appear to have any major symptoms at this point.
This is of course anecdotal evidence but we don't have to look far to see the huge impact that the second jab is having.
I've spoken to doctors this week (in the more calm and conscious moments), to get an indication of the growing problems in our hospitals.
They've told me that the majority of people they are admitting are younger people with either no vaccine or just the one - we can see from wider data how much important protection the second dose provides.
Liverpool, like plenty of other areas, is seeing something of a concerning drop off from people who have come forward for a first dose - and for whatever reason have decided that a second is not required.
I would say that if you want to avoid a grim week like I have just had (believe me, you absolutely do), then I would get that second dose booked in as soon as you possibly can.
I'm feeling a little bit more normal after six rough days in bed now, but still coughing my proverbial guts up, still shattered and with no current idea when I will feel anything approaching 'normal.'
It is definitely something to be avoided and with cases rocketing around the country, a double dose of the vaccine is the best way to do that.
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