@poppy67 Hi Poppy. Please don't feel weird asking ANY kind of question on Mayo Clinic Connect.
We've all been there at one time or another!
Regarding your question of how I got rid of that awful, thick, Covid phlegm. .....(I've had Covid twice this past year despite taking every precaution and having 2 vaxxes and 3 boosters)....my method is to have two hot showers per day so that you raise a lot of steam in the bathroom, be sure to run the hot water (not TOO hot) over both your chest and your back for a few minutes, bend your head forward, and then try to cough as HARD as you can. This often started the gag reflex with me but you have to stay with it, even if it causes you to throw up a bit. It's not just a matter of "clearing your throat". You have to cough very hard, right from your boots. Once out of the shower be sure to blow your nose really thoroughly too, so you don't get post-nasal drip and thus more throat phlegm. Rubbing some good old fashioned Vick's Vapor Rub on your chest and throat helps, and trying Fisherman's Friend OTC "original" cough drops helped me too. Whew, they're very strong! Also, I used Buckley's Cough Syrup, which is very strong, tastes awful, but it works.
Let me know how you're doing, Poppy. Good luck horking! It's an awful word, and it's an awful unladylike thing to do, but ya' gotta do it!!