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I remember some years ago I got sick with what doctor finally treated as a sinus infection (I had thought it was just a really weird bad cold until I realized I was running fever with it and went to doctor like 5 days in). But I was out of work for 9 days. I felt so extremely sick and horrible. Plus, until sinus infection was diagnosed, I was sort of concerned I could give my parrots something. I remember washing my hands thoroughly before handling their dishes and sort of turning my head away a bit to side when around them. So, my poor parrots only got seed, peanuts and pellets -- and their water was changed every 2 or 3 days instead of daily, which I am ashamed to admit (unless they made parrot soup which demanded dish washing and fresh water -- I just felt too bad to handle the daily water changes they were used to). My poor neglected babies were offered nothing fresh (no veggie or fruit), no treats, no out-of-cage time, nothing. Just the absolute bare minimum of care was about as much as I could handle. I think I only removed the top papers in their cages every few days, not full cleanups. I wasn't even up to a proper shower or eating or anything. Just pushed my own fluid intake. My sink was so full of dirty tea mugs and water cups after 9 days, it was embarrassing. Floor was filthy from not sweeping and vacuuming. Ugh. And I remember being so impressed that my babies all seemed to understand mummy was feeling so horrible -- they exhibited no screaming or negative behaviours. They just played with their cage toys, I guess. I spent most of the 9 days propped upright on the sofa (so I could breathe -- wearing those Breathe Right strips on my nose) trying to sleep for all those days. Parrots are so smart, they seem to know when something is wrong with us. I even worried that they might be worried about me -- they can be so sensitive. Yet they were mostly quiet and so well-behaved during my whole illness. And when I got better, they accepted proper care again as if the 9 days prior were fully forgiven.