For Others…

A s she walked into the clinic, I was at the door to meet and test her for the Coronavirus. Though we both had masks on, we immediately recognized each other and her initial reaction was to give me a hug, which I had to decline.

It is not that I did not want to hug her, I did want to. I conducted her husband’s funeral years ago and I have not seen her in several years. I said to her, “I can’t hug you because of the virus” I had my protective suit, gloves and mask on and I did not want to endanger her or her daughter, as I had been testing people for several hours.

When I obtain vital signs, I am asked many questions and often for my opinion on all “the fuss and debate” surrounding the Coronavirus. I inform every patient what the test is and am patient with those who are nervous and even fearful of the test. I understand the anxiety and fear, I have had the test performed on myself five times.

I am no one special but I do have a unique experience with the Coronavirus. One morning, as part of a weekly check, I tested positive. I was shocked as I had no symptoms. Later that day, my wife tested positive. No one at my workplace had tested positive, I was the only one. No one at my wife’s place of work had tested positive, she was the only one.

The day before we attended church with one of our sons, daughter in-law, and their kids and then to lunch in a local restaurant. No signs of being sick, no symptoms for my son and his family. After my positive test, I texted each of my kids and spouses and informed them I was positive for the virus and urged them to be tested the as we were all together for my wife’s college graduation party that Saturday. It was a family only party.

Two days after I tested positive, the fatigue and muscle aches set in and lasted only three days. On the fourth day I realized I lost my sense of smell and taste but later regained both. For more than ten days, I was symptom free. I tested negative and returned to work. I was blessed with such a mild attack.

My wife was not as fortunate as I. She was positive, with no symptoms until the second day. Then the virus unleashed itself. Fatigue, headaches, myalgia, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. She fainted on the tenth day and that is when I took her to a hospital. Long story short, she spent four days isolated in a sealed, negative pressure room. She was Covid19 positive, dehydrated, with a double ear infection, and double pneumonia. Her heart rate continued to drop, especially at night, so much so that at times a nurse would enter the room to ensure she was stable.

No visitors, no asking any of the doctor’s questions because they did not come into the room, only nurses entered the room and that was for a quick check on the patient and then a fast exit. Treatment included a plasma transfusion and high doses of various vitamins (which she is still on).

I missed three weeks of work and my wife is still off work now six weeks. Her recovery is slow – perhaps due to the pneumonia caused by the Coronavirus, I do not know and neither do the doctors.

There is no “cure” for the Coronavirus. Doctors and medicine treat the symptoms, comorbidities and strengthen the body’s immune system. The virus, according to numerous sources, is already mutating into different strains. I am hopeful that a “cure” will soon be discovered.

The great unknown is how will your body react to this virus? Most people never enter the hospital and completely recover. Some, like my wife, have a much more difficult time, end up in the hospital but then slowly recover. Others die either directly of the virus or because the virus, in conjunction with one or more other ailments, overwhelm the person and death follows. Many patients report symptoms or lingering effects for months after infection. What is safe to say is, we are six months into this pandemic and there is more we do not know about the Coronavirus than what we do know. Misinformation and the unknown are what causes more fear, than what is known about the virus.

But the question remains – should you wear a mask or not? Some governments are mandating a mask, six feet apart from others for our own safety. Prior to my positive result, I only wore a mask on the job. After my infection, I gladly wear a mask everywhere. Here is why.

We all have the right to express our opinion, to wear a mask or not. As a Christian, I remember what the apostle Paul wrote, “So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you–you’re eating to God’s glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God’s glory. At the same time, don’t be callous in your exercise of freedom, thoughtlessly stepping on the toes of those who aren’t as free as you are. I try my best to be considerate of everyone’s feelings in all these matters; I hope you will be, too” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).

I will never know how I contracted the virus – from a patient I tested? From a stranger who sneezed in a grocery store, from the gas pump handle or a door handle? As of now, more than 600 medical workers have died from Coronavirus. Will I or my wife contract the virus again? No one knows.

If it makes others feel good to see me wear a mask, I will wear it. I know government will use this pandemic to grab more power and rights away from the people but despite my personal political beliefs, living my life for the benefit of others continues to be more important. I want to ensure others are safe so I do all I can to help and protect others.

Christians, like everyone else, can and should make their voices and opinions heard, but Christians are to live in such a way that we live for the good of others. This is not a popular thought, but this is how Christ lived and died.

I urge you to wear a mask, and take other precautions, if not for your personal safety, for the peace of mind and safety of so many others who serve you in the restaurants, grocery stores and other locations. Why wear a mask? Because you may be positive, never show any symptoms and unknowingly share the virus to someone else who may end up in an emergency room or the cemetery.

Please, think of others first and live your life to the fullest but with respect for others and their safety.

Clayton Adams has a message of faith he would like to share with the community. He would also like to hear from you. E-mail him at claytonpadamslll@gmail.com.

Clayton Adams