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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNYT: I'm 26. Coronavirus Sent Me to the Hospital.
Millennials: If you cant stay at home for others, do it for yourselves.
By Fiona Lowenstein
Fiona Lowenstein is a writer, producer and yoga teacher.
Im 26. I dont have any prior autoimmune or respiratory conditions. I work out six times a week, and abstain from cigarettes. I thought my role in the current health crisis would be as an ally to the elderly and compromised. Then, I was hospitalized for Covid-19.
On Friday, March 13, only a few hours after deciding I would begin to socially distance for the well-being of others, I developed a fever and headache. I tried not to assume the worst, but just in case, my partner and I decided to sleep in separate bedrooms. By the next morning, I had a cough. On Sunday, I started to feel better and my fever was gone. I felt thankful that even if this was coronavirus, Id most likely be able to ride it out at home, as Id heard people like myself had little to worry about. I began planning the work Id catch up on the next day, and the much-needed shower Id take.
That night I woke up in the middle of the night with chills, vomiting, and shortness of breath. By Monday, I could barely speak more than a few words without feeling like I was gasping for air. I couldnt walk to the bathroom without panting as if Id run a mile. On Monday evening, I tried to eat, but found I couldnt get enough oxygen while doing so. Any task that was at all anxiety-producing even resetting my MyChart password to communicate with my doctor left me desperate for oxygen.
There were many reasons that I didnt want to go to the hospital. When Id called 311 earlier in the weekend to inquire about a test, I was told people with Covid-19 symptoms must stay home. Id read this same advice elsewhere, and wanted to do everything possible to prevent spreading the virus if I had it. I also was wary of taking doctors attention and hospital resources away from more vulnerable populations who might need them. Finally, I feared that if this wasnt Covid-19, going to the hospital could expose me to the virus. Ultimately, even with my serious trouble breathing, a part of me believed I would be fine, since I was young and otherwise healthy.
While I was shocked at the development of my symptoms and my ultimate hospitalization, the doctors and nurses were not at all surprised. After I was admitted, I was told that there was a 30-year-old in the next room who was also otherwise healthy, but who had also experienced serious trouble breathing. The hospital staff told me that more and more patients my age were showing up at the E.R. I am thankful to my partner for calling the hospital when my breathing worsened, and to the doctor who insisted we come in. As soon as I received an oxygen tube, I began to feel slight relief. I was lucky to get to the hospital early in the crisis, and receive very attentive care.
On Friday, March 13, only a few hours after deciding I would begin to socially distance for the well-being of others, I developed a fever and headache. I tried not to assume the worst, but just in case, my partner and I decided to sleep in separate bedrooms. By the next morning, I had a cough. On Sunday, I started to feel better and my fever was gone. I felt thankful that even if this was coronavirus, Id most likely be able to ride it out at home, as Id heard people like myself had little to worry about. I began planning the work Id catch up on the next day, and the much-needed shower Id take.
That night I woke up in the middle of the night with chills, vomiting, and shortness of breath. By Monday, I could barely speak more than a few words without feeling like I was gasping for air. I couldnt walk to the bathroom without panting as if Id run a mile. On Monday evening, I tried to eat, but found I couldnt get enough oxygen while doing so. Any task that was at all anxiety-producing even resetting my MyChart password to communicate with my doctor left me desperate for oxygen.
There were many reasons that I didnt want to go to the hospital. When Id called 311 earlier in the weekend to inquire about a test, I was told people with Covid-19 symptoms must stay home. Id read this same advice elsewhere, and wanted to do everything possible to prevent spreading the virus if I had it. I also was wary of taking doctors attention and hospital resources away from more vulnerable populations who might need them. Finally, I feared that if this wasnt Covid-19, going to the hospital could expose me to the virus. Ultimately, even with my serious trouble breathing, a part of me believed I would be fine, since I was young and otherwise healthy.
While I was shocked at the development of my symptoms and my ultimate hospitalization, the doctors and nurses were not at all surprised. After I was admitted, I was told that there was a 30-year-old in the next room who was also otherwise healthy, but who had also experienced serious trouble breathing. The hospital staff told me that more and more patients my age were showing up at the E.R. I am thankful to my partner for calling the hospital when my breathing worsened, and to the doctor who insisted we come in. As soon as I received an oxygen tube, I began to feel slight relief. I was lucky to get to the hospital early in the crisis, and receive very attentive care.
More here: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/opinion/coronavirus-young-people.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
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NYT: I'm 26. Coronavirus Sent Me to the Hospital. (Original Post)
Mike 03
Mar 2020
OP
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)1. This quote is from the article too:
Millennials, if you cant be good allies, at least stay home to protect yourselves. Our invulnerability to this disease is a myth one I have experienced firsthand.
dalton99a
(81,433 posts)2. Kick