Why COVID-19 patients are facing much more than just the disease

Insights from COVID-19 sufferer on the virus’s transferability – and the society’s scrutiny for catching it-

With new reports and rumours coming in from around the world daily, it looks like everyone is still unclear about how easy or difficult it is for you to contract the coronavirus.

Two Victorians recently shared their stories and suffering, revealing some facts we should all look into deeply.

How Judy had to beat more than just the virus

Judy Magdziarz was diagnosed positive for the COVID-19 shortly after a cruise ship. 68-year-old Judy has not just endured abuse and ridicule from her neighbours in Echuca – she has learned a bitter lesson about humanity.

She and her daughter were bound for New Caledonia on the ship’ Ovation of the Seas.’ But due to shutdowns and borders being closed, they had to return and disembark in Sydney (this happened on March 18). She would return and go on to visit Aldi, Coles, and Bunnings later on.

They were not advised to get check-ups since the cruise never crossed borders. However, on March 21, she received an e-mail from Royal Caribbean that there was a coronavirus infected Canadian on board. She got tested and was found positive.

She had gone to the doctor regarding aches and cough on the same day and got isolated, following protocol and looking for treatment. That’s when the ridicule began – with people taunting, calling her a bi**h, wishing death upon her, and even accusing her dog and her daughter as spreaders of the disease (which were, of course, false).

With gym sessions thrice a week and support from medical staff and friends, she was able to beat this, having a positive outlook and stating that after this, there is nothing she can’t conquer.

The reality of the transmission and Professor Brown’s journey

Prof Brown (Director, AMSI) stated that the virus is incredibly easy to catch. He has had a 90-minute conversation with a colleague of his who happened to later be positive for the virus. Three days later, he developed symptoms and got tested.

The result was negative.

After he didn’t feel better, he got tested again, and the result was positive this time around. His situation escalated quickly because of his Type-1 diabetes – however, after careful treatment, he was deemed okay to come out of isolation after two weeks.

His staff was scared, so he had to show them proofs of his treatment and his results after he returned to work.

With a positive outlook, he was able to beat the social tension after he became well, even going as far as calling his colleague his ‘benefactor’ since the experience gave him immunity against the virus. “People are understandably fearful,” he said, stating that he was lucky to have had mild symptoms in comparison to the ones who have had catastrophic experiences.

In both these cases, it looks like the patients have maintained a positive outlook and overcame unfathomable odds – especially because of old age and the lack of social support. However, this does raise a question – have we fallen so deep into paranoia that we would rather wish death upon the victims here? Good for thought.