Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Here's What It Felt Like To Have The Coronavirus Disease
This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 -- also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19 -- isolated from a patient in the U.S. (Courtesy of NIAID-RML)
We're collecting audience stories about what it's like to live in Los Angeles during a pandemic. You can share your story here.
Two friends shared with us their accounts of what it was like to get seriously ill during the coronavirus pandemic. One ultimately tested positive for COVID-19, and while the other was unable to get tested and may never know for sure, both accounts are sobering.
Adrian, a Koreatown resident who asked that his surname not be used, was at first turned away by doctors, who said his vitals looked relatively normal. But he had a bad case of pneumonia that kept getting worse. He was finally checked into the hospital, and that's where he finally got his test. This is how he described some of his worst days:
I woke up with an even worse cough — so painful every part of my body hurt. I coughed up phlegm with a significant amount of blood, which naturally freaked me out. My roommate graciously took me back to the ER...
...One night in the hospital turned into four nights. I couldn't have any guests. Each time a doctor or nurse entered the room, they needed to put on what was basically a hazmat suit. I felt like I was some sort of science experiment. By the third day in the hospital, my test results confirmed I had the pandemic virus.
I'll admit it, I was scared and cried a decent amount. Will it get worse? Would I get through this?
SHARE YOUR OWN STORY:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
