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We Spoke to Six Americans With Coronavirus We Spoke to Six Americans With Coronavirus
(3 days later)
Late one night, after a test confirmed the stealth invasion of his cells by the new coronavirus, Dale Grizzle was seized with a violent fit of vomiting in his hospital room.Late one night, after a test confirmed the stealth invasion of his cells by the new coronavirus, Dale Grizzle was seized with a violent fit of vomiting in his hospital room.
Until then, Mr. Grizzle, 69, of Rydal, Ga., had maintained his trademark good spirits. Like most people who have contracted the virus, he had experienced mostly mild symptoms.Until then, Mr. Grizzle, 69, of Rydal, Ga., had maintained his trademark good spirits. Like most people who have contracted the virus, he had experienced mostly mild symptoms.
But in that moment, Mr. Grizzle, a retired house painter with 13 grandchildren, found himself unable to fend off the darkness. “I got to thinking about, ‘Is my life going to end here?’” he recalled in a recent interview. “‘Is this going to be it?’ I had severe anxiety.”But in that moment, Mr. Grizzle, a retired house painter with 13 grandchildren, found himself unable to fend off the darkness. “I got to thinking about, ‘Is my life going to end here?’” he recalled in a recent interview. “‘Is this going to be it?’ I had severe anxiety.”
Anxiety is exactly what many Americans are feeling as a virus that has infected nearly 100,000 people and claimed more than 3,000 lives across the world over the last eight weeks finds its first footholds in the United States. With health officials preparing the public for a widespread outbreak here, six Americans who have already tested positive for the virus spoke to The New York Times about its predictable and unexpected consequences.Anxiety is exactly what many Americans are feeling as a virus that has infected nearly 100,000 people and claimed more than 3,000 lives across the world over the last eight weeks finds its first footholds in the United States. With health officials preparing the public for a widespread outbreak here, six Americans who have already tested positive for the virus spoke to The New York Times about its predictable and unexpected consequences.
Some, like Mark Jorgensen, 55, of St. George, Utah, have experienced no physical discomfort from Covid-19, as the disease brought on by the virus is known. Others cannot shake its signature symptoms, such as Carl Goldman and his two-week-old cough.Some, like Mark Jorgensen, 55, of St. George, Utah, have experienced no physical discomfort from Covid-19, as the disease brought on by the virus is known. Others cannot shake its signature symptoms, such as Carl Goldman and his two-week-old cough.
Isolated in hospital rooms, quarantine units or their own homes, some early Covid-19 patients turned to prayer or meditation. Many expressed new appreciation for FaceTime and other video-call apps that let them stay connected to loved ones. And some found comfort among other members of the fast-expanding group of Americans in similar straits.Isolated in hospital rooms, quarantine units or their own homes, some early Covid-19 patients turned to prayer or meditation. Many expressed new appreciation for FaceTime and other video-call apps that let them stay connected to loved ones. And some found comfort among other members of the fast-expanding group of Americans in similar straits.
With a potentially fatal virus hijacking their respiratory tract, small pleasures, like tasting a favorite food or catching a glimpse of a family pet, took on heightened meaning. The notion of communal responsibility for public health gained new resonance. And some who divulged their disease to friends or clients had an inkling that it could become a new marker of identity. “They go, ‘Hey, I know someone with coronavirus!’ Like it’s a badge of honor,” noted Rick Wright, of Redwood City, Calif.With a potentially fatal virus hijacking their respiratory tract, small pleasures, like tasting a favorite food or catching a glimpse of a family pet, took on heightened meaning. The notion of communal responsibility for public health gained new resonance. And some who divulged their disease to friends or clients had an inkling that it could become a new marker of identity. “They go, ‘Hey, I know someone with coronavirus!’ Like it’s a badge of honor,” noted Rick Wright, of Redwood City, Calif.
But that did not stop them from despairing over their own status as a reservoir of infection, or fearing ostracism. Nor did it make the defining uncertainty of the disease, which had never been seen in humans before it was detected in China in December, easier to bear.But that did not stop them from despairing over their own status as a reservoir of infection, or fearing ostracism. Nor did it make the defining uncertainty of the disease, which had never been seen in humans before it was detected in China in December, easier to bear.
They worried about dying. They worried about living, with unknown debilitating effects on their bodies. They worried about the tests required to prove that they were virus-free — the nasal swabs that made their eyes water and the throat swabs that made them gag.They worried about dying. They worried about living, with unknown debilitating effects on their bodies. They worried about the tests required to prove that they were virus-free — the nasal swabs that made their eyes water and the throat swabs that made them gag.
It is one thing to be sick. It is another not to know your chances of getting well, and to know that calculating those chances depended on how many others were sick, and to know that no one knew that, either.It is one thing to be sick. It is another not to know your chances of getting well, and to know that calculating those chances depended on how many others were sick, and to know that no one knew that, either.
Alone on that night in mid-February, Mr. Grizzle said, the fear that gripped him eased as he prayed. The next day, he texted John Haering, who, like himself, had contracted the virus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship last month as it was docked in Japan.Alone on that night in mid-February, Mr. Grizzle said, the fear that gripped him eased as he prayed. The next day, he texted John Haering, who, like himself, had contracted the virus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship last month as it was docked in Japan.
The two men, who had met on the ship with their wives, were among some 40 American passengers admitted to hospitals in Japan. Mr. Grizzle had been escorted off the boat on Feb. 11.The two men, who had met on the ship with their wives, were among some 40 American passengers admitted to hospitals in Japan. Mr. Grizzle had been escorted off the boat on Feb. 11.
“What’s the word?” he typed to Mr. Haering two days later.“What’s the word?” he typed to Mr. Haering two days later.
“Hey Dale,” came the reply. “In hospital too. Hate it already.”“Hey Dale,” came the reply. “In hospital too. Hate it already.”
Before the ship entered quarantine mode, when the couples thought their cruise was coming to its regularly scheduled end, they had vowed to stay in touch.Before the ship entered quarantine mode, when the couples thought their cruise was coming to its regularly scheduled end, they had vowed to stay in touch.
But not until their wives were evacuated to a 14-day quarantine at a California military base while they remained hospitalized in Japan did Mr. Haering and Mr. Grizzle actually lay plans to take their families on another vacation together.But not until their wives were evacuated to a 14-day quarantine at a California military base while they remained hospitalized in Japan did Mr. Haering and Mr. Grizzle actually lay plans to take their families on another vacation together.
“We want to sit in the beautiful, un-diseased waters of the Caribbean,” Mr. Haering said during a joint interview with Mr. Grizzle over WhatsApp.“We want to sit in the beautiful, un-diseased waters of the Caribbean,” Mr. Haering said during a joint interview with Mr. Grizzle over WhatsApp.
“We just want to float around,” Mr. Grizzle added.“We just want to float around,” Mr. Grizzle added.
It was a welcome distraction. Both men had recorded 104-degree fevers. Each received CT scans of their lungs that revealed pneumonia. Both were haunted by the death of a doctor in China who had been reprimanded for trying to alert people early on to the viral outbreak.It was a welcome distraction. Both men had recorded 104-degree fevers. Each received CT scans of their lungs that revealed pneumonia. Both were haunted by the death of a doctor in China who had been reprimanded for trying to alert people early on to the viral outbreak.
Mr. Haering, like Mr. Grizzle, also suffered some combination of gastrointestinal distress and existential angst. The coronavirus death rate, they knew, was about 2 percent, which sounded low. But then, the world’s case count kept mounting. So did the cruise ship’s. With over 700 infected passengers and crew members, the odds did not look as good. And they were worse for people over the age of 60.Mr. Haering, like Mr. Grizzle, also suffered some combination of gastrointestinal distress and existential angst. The coronavirus death rate, they knew, was about 2 percent, which sounded low. But then, the world’s case count kept mounting. So did the cruise ship’s. With over 700 infected passengers and crew members, the odds did not look as good. And they were worse for people over the age of 60.
“You start thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, do they really not know anything about this? Could I die?’” said Mr. Haering, who is 63.“You start thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, do they really not know anything about this? Could I die?’” said Mr. Haering, who is 63.
A recently retired operations manager for Union Pacific railroad, Mr. Haering said his fever had broken even before he reached the hospital. That soon made him eligible to take the first of two tests that would need to come back negative for the virus in order for him to leave.A recently retired operations manager for Union Pacific railroad, Mr. Haering said his fever had broken even before he reached the hospital. That soon made him eligible to take the first of two tests that would need to come back negative for the virus in order for him to leave.
“Have you ever had a nose swab?” he texted Mr. Grizzle on Feb. 21.“Have you ever had a nose swab?” he texted Mr. Grizzle on Feb. 21.
Mr. Grizzle, whose low-grade fever was lingering, had not. But he did have what he knew Mr. Haering craved: a hamburger. The food at their respective hospitals had provided much conversational fodder, and Mr. Grizzle had just learned how to order in. He texted back a photograph.Mr. Grizzle, whose low-grade fever was lingering, had not. But he did have what he knew Mr. Haering craved: a hamburger. The food at their respective hospitals had provided much conversational fodder, and Mr. Grizzle had just learned how to order in. He texted back a photograph.
“I love french fries,” Mr. Haering replied, with a touch of envy. “Were they still warm? Salty, I hope.”“I love french fries,” Mr. Haering replied, with a touch of envy. “Were they still warm? Salty, I hope.”
“Let’s live it up a little,” Mr. Grizzle replied sometime later. “Can I call?”“Let’s live it up a little,” Mr. Grizzle replied sometime later. “Can I call?”
They celebrated the negative test result that Mr. Haering’s wife, Melanie, had received at the base in California, and the consistent reports from Mr. Grizzle’s wife, Sherry, that she had virtually no symptoms despite being hospitalized for the virus, first in San Francisco and then at a hospital in Spokane, Wash.They celebrated the negative test result that Mr. Haering’s wife, Melanie, had received at the base in California, and the consistent reports from Mr. Grizzle’s wife, Sherry, that she had virtually no symptoms despite being hospitalized for the virus, first in San Francisco and then at a hospital in Spokane, Wash.
When Mr. Haering did get the all-clear on Saturday to return to his home in Tooele, Utah, Mr. Grizzle insisted that he was happy for his friend.When Mr. Haering did get the all-clear on Saturday to return to his home in Tooele, Utah, Mr. Grizzle insisted that he was happy for his friend.
“We kind of have developed a brotherhood,” he said. “A brotherhood of the virus.”“We kind of have developed a brotherhood,” he said. “A brotherhood of the virus.”
Mr. Haering texted him a photograph of his dinner on Friday night as he awaited a flight. It included warm, salty french fries.Mr. Haering texted him a photograph of his dinner on Friday night as he awaited a flight. It included warm, salty french fries.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Mr. Grizzle replied. “That’s a great-looking plate."“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Mr. Grizzle replied. “That’s a great-looking plate."
The doctor from San Mateo County’s health department was waiting on Rick Wright’s front porch in Redwood City when the ambulance dropped him off.The doctor from San Mateo County’s health department was waiting on Rick Wright’s front porch in Redwood City when the ambulance dropped him off.
From 30 feet away, the doctor indicated that Mr. Wright was to read the paperwork he had left before entering. Following instructions, Mr. Wright entered his home and called the doctor, who spoke to him from his car parked outside.From 30 feet away, the doctor indicated that Mr. Wright was to read the paperwork he had left before entering. Following instructions, Mr. Wright entered his home and called the doctor, who spoke to him from his car parked outside.
He was not to go outside. He was not to accept visitors.He was not to go outside. He was not to accept visitors.
The distancing protocol made sense for someone with a highly infectious disease for which there is no treatment. And Mr. Wright has tested positive for the virus three times since mid-February. First, when health officials seeking to assess the contagion on the Diamond Princess swabbed his throat and then twice more during his eight-day stay at a Northern California hospital.The distancing protocol made sense for someone with a highly infectious disease for which there is no treatment. And Mr. Wright has tested positive for the virus three times since mid-February. First, when health officials seeking to assess the contagion on the Diamond Princess swabbed his throat and then twice more during his eight-day stay at a Northern California hospital.
Yet Mr. Wright, an insurance broker who learned of his first result only after returning to California on a State Department flight with his wife, Kathy, is among the as-yet-unknown number of coronavirus carriers who remain the picture of health.Yet Mr. Wright, an insurance broker who learned of his first result only after returning to California on a State Department flight with his wife, Kathy, is among the as-yet-unknown number of coronavirus carriers who remain the picture of health.
“I feel great,” he said from his living room, where he must remain until he tests negative twice with at least 24 hours in between. “It’s so bizarre.”“I feel great,” he said from his living room, where he must remain until he tests negative twice with at least 24 hours in between. “It’s so bizarre.”
It was the dread of making someone else sick that kept Mr. Wright sane. Because the virus is spread through respiratory droplets, coughing is thought to be its primary vector. But healthy people have also been a source of infection, studies have shown.It was the dread of making someone else sick that kept Mr. Wright sane. Because the virus is spread through respiratory droplets, coughing is thought to be its primary vector. But healthy people have also been a source of infection, studies have shown.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“I don’t want to be giving people the coronavirus,” he said.“I don’t want to be giving people the coronavirus,” he said.
Mr. Wright had left his laptop at home when he went on vacation. Still, in the hospital, he resisted turning on the television until it was time for the 5 p.m. news. Instead, he read books on his Kindle and texted friends. He called Kathy multiple times a day by phone, and the couple video-chatted in the morning and before going to bed.Mr. Wright had left his laptop at home when he went on vacation. Still, in the hospital, he resisted turning on the television until it was time for the 5 p.m. news. Instead, he read books on his Kindle and texted friends. He called Kathy multiple times a day by phone, and the couple video-chatted in the morning and before going to bed.
“You look forward to going to bed because it’s one more day behind you,” said Ms. Wright, 60, who was waiting out her own quarantine period nearby at Travis Air Force Base after testing negative.“You look forward to going to bed because it’s one more day behind you,” said Ms. Wright, 60, who was waiting out her own quarantine period nearby at Travis Air Force Base after testing negative.
When health officials decided he could practice “self-isolation” at home last week, they told him they would alert him as soon as his latest test results came back. To be released from quarantine, he would need to have two negative tests in a row. That has not yet happened.When health officials decided he could practice “self-isolation” at home last week, they told him they would alert him as soon as his latest test results came back. To be released from quarantine, he would need to have two negative tests in a row. That has not yet happened.
Before returning home on Feb. 26, Mr. Wright contacted his neighbors. No one, he said, made him feel like a pariah. But he is ready to be free. On Tuesday, a county health official came to his door to take another nose and throat swab.Before returning home on Feb. 26, Mr. Wright contacted his neighbors. No one, he said, made him feel like a pariah. But he is ready to be free. On Tuesday, a county health official came to his door to take another nose and throat swab.
“Still here,” he texted.“Still here,” he texted.
Carl Goldman’s cough is still with him.Carl Goldman’s cough is still with him.
“It comes back more pronounced than normal when I’m talking,” he apologized in a telephone interview this week.“It comes back more pronounced than normal when I’m talking,” he apologized in a telephone interview this week.
The co-owner of a local news radio station in Santa Clarita, Calif., Mr. Goldman experienced the classic symptoms of Covid-19: high fever, a dry cough, tightness in the chest.The co-owner of a local news radio station in Santa Clarita, Calif., Mr. Goldman experienced the classic symptoms of Covid-19: high fever, a dry cough, tightness in the chest.
On Feb. 22, he celebrated his 67th birthday in the biocontainment unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, built after the anthrax scares of the 9/11 era and later used to treat Ebola patients.On Feb. 22, he celebrated his 67th birthday in the biocontainment unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, built after the anthrax scares of the 9/11 era and later used to treat Ebola patients.
“My medical team brought me a cake with an unlit candle taped to the box,” Mr. Goldman wrote on his coronavirus recovery blog. “It is against regulations to light a candle here in Nebraska Medicine.”“My medical team brought me a cake with an unlit candle taped to the box,” Mr. Goldman wrote on his coronavirus recovery blog. “It is against regulations to light a candle here in Nebraska Medicine.”
But he is recovering, as he reported to the other dozen Covid-19 patients at the medical center during a telephonic town hall.But he is recovering, as he reported to the other dozen Covid-19 patients at the medical center during a telephonic town hall.
Held at 3 p.m. daily, the virtual meetings are designed as a hedge against the psychological deterioration that previous research has documented in patients whose condition requires isolation, said Dr. David Cates, a clinical psychologist at Nebraska Medicine who runs the meetings.Held at 3 p.m. daily, the virtual meetings are designed as a hedge against the psychological deterioration that previous research has documented in patients whose condition requires isolation, said Dr. David Cates, a clinical psychologist at Nebraska Medicine who runs the meetings.
One day last week, a patient originally from one of the countries where the virus recently started to spread joked that it could not be pinned on him: “I moved here 30 years ago,” participants on the call recalled him saying. Another told the group that she relieved her stress by drawing.One day last week, a patient originally from one of the countries where the virus recently started to spread joked that it could not be pinned on him: “I moved here 30 years ago,” participants on the call recalled him saying. Another told the group that she relieved her stress by drawing.
And when Mr. Goldman felt well enough to transfer from the biocontainment center to the center’s more dormitory-like quarantine unit, he announced his determination to reduce stress by resuming his daily exercise routine, which would require him to walk the length of his room — 14 paces — until he reached 10,000 steps.And when Mr. Goldman felt well enough to transfer from the biocontainment center to the center’s more dormitory-like quarantine unit, he announced his determination to reduce stress by resuming his daily exercise routine, which would require him to walk the length of his room — 14 paces — until he reached 10,000 steps.
That brought a smile to the lips of Charlene Thorburn, 78, a retired secretary from San Diego. Though her symptoms were negligible, as were her husband’s, she said, she was never sure if they would grow far worse. The group discussions helped her realize that others were also wondering about the scope of the illness, the possibility of treatment — and how fast it might be spreading.That brought a smile to the lips of Charlene Thorburn, 78, a retired secretary from San Diego. Though her symptoms were negligible, as were her husband’s, she said, she was never sure if they would grow far worse. The group discussions helped her realize that others were also wondering about the scope of the illness, the possibility of treatment — and how fast it might be spreading.
“You find out what you’re thinking is not so strange,” Ms. Thorburn said, “because everyone else is thinking the same.”“You find out what you’re thinking is not so strange,” Ms. Thorburn said, “because everyone else is thinking the same.”
Two of the Covid-19 patients at the center were released last Sunday, another on Tuesday. A third, whose condition worsened, was transferred to the biocontainment unit. The town halls, Ms. Thorburn said she had been told, will continue until everyone departs.Two of the Covid-19 patients at the center were released last Sunday, another on Tuesday. A third, whose condition worsened, was transferred to the biocontainment unit. The town halls, Ms. Thorburn said she had been told, will continue until everyone departs.
“Stress is not a good thing to have,” Mr. Goldman admonished recently, “if you’re trying to fight and keep your immune system up.”“Stress is not a good thing to have,” Mr. Goldman admonished recently, “if you’re trying to fight and keep your immune system up.”