Bjonda Haliti’s Twitter thread on the coronavirus has over 800,000 likes and more than a quarter of a million retweets. The healthy 22-year-old chronicles her illness after contracting Covid-19, debunking the myth that young people are magically immune.
The thread sends a message to spring break partygoers in Miami who have spend the past several days defying the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which show that Covid-19 patients aged 20-44 are a vulnerable group in terms of hospitalizations.
According to the CDC,
“Among 508 (12%) patients known to have been hospitalized, 9% were aged ≥85 years, 26% were aged 65–84 years, 17% were aged 55–64 years, 18% were 45–54 years, and 20% were aged 20–44 years. Less than 1% of hospitalizations were among persons aged ≤19 years (Figure 2). The percentage of persons hospitalized increased with age, from 2%–3% among persons aged ≤9 years, to ≥31% among adults aged ≥85 years.”
While coronavirus figures fluctuate from country to country, and with readers on social media and revelers on spring break in the US suggesting that the pandemic may be overblown, given the relatively low number of cases in comparison to the number of people who die from the flu each year, health officials are stressing that the numbers are growing exponentially. Data analysis by USA Today also shows that America’s trajectory is trending toward that of hard-hit Italy, which has surpassed China in coronavirus deaths and clocks the second-highest number of cases globally.
Says Haliti,
“I’m 22 years old and I tested positive for COVID-19.
I’ve been debating on posting, but I want to share my experience especially with those around my age to help bring awareness, and to relieve any stress/anxiety some may have due to the pandemic.
Day 1: It started with a mild DRY cough and a slightly sore throat. I was very tired that night.
Day 2: I felt a lot of pressure in my head to the point I would have to cough softly to avoid the discomfort. That night, I experienced the chills and had a fever. One main symptom that stood out to me, my eyes physically hurt. They were tender and sore.
Moving them was uncomfortable. Doing some research I discovered this was just a migraine, but it didn’t go away at ALL. I slept all day.
Day 3: Energy levels VERY low, I only slept, and still ran fevers. At this point, my symptoms were: dry cough, migraine, fever, chills, some nausea. I decided to go to the doctors where I tested negative for the flu and strep.
The doctor told me I probably just had an infection and prescribed me antibiotics and 800mg of ibuprofen. I made sure to stay extremely hydrated and stocked up on vitamins and probiotics. That night, I still ran a fever.
Day 4: Finally no more fever, but a new symptom showed up: shortness of breath. It was uncomfortable, it felt like I had bricks on my chest. I tried the self diagnose test I read online (hold your breath and count to 10) which I successfully did with no complications.
At this point I wanted to test for corona like I should have been in the first place, but It was very difficult to get tested for it!!! I continued to self-quarantine and hydrate hydrate HYDRATE!
Day 5: Symptoms: sore throat, cough, shortness of breath. I went to the same doctor and I was very adamant about getting tested. Doctor said my vitals were “unremarkable” but I wasn’t going to take no for an answer! I also requested chest X-rays, everything came out normal.
I was advised to continue self quarantine, and I would receive my results in 5-6 DAYS!!!!!
Day 6 – With the continued use of antibiotics and ibuprofen, my symptoms were: sore throat, cough, shortness of breath. My energy levels began to increase.
Day 7 – Symptoms: slight sore throat, mild cough, shortness of breath. Energy levels increasing.
Day 8 – Symptoms: Mild cough, starting to feel like myself again. Energy!
Day 9 – Symptoms: My cough was a little heavier, normal energy levels.
Day 10 – Symptoms: Mild cough, mucus, normal energy levels. My lab results came in: POSITIVE.
I am continuing to self-isolate and take care of myself. Today I am feeling great and healthy! I will need to retest in order to be cleared. That’s if I can find a doctor whose willing to retest me. Haven’t had any luck so far.
My DM’s will be open to those who have questions, I hope this was helpful. I wanted to let ppl know that if I got through it, so can you!!! Don’t panic if you are feeling symptoms. Take initiative and follow CDC guidelines. We’re going to get through this!”
Haliti adds,
“It’s been brought to my attention ibuprofen could worsen symptoms. As stated, I was prescribed these for a bacterial infection BEFORE I was tested for COVID19. I was taking ibuprofen until day 4 where I no longer felt it was necessary.
Everyone is asking how I contracted COVID-19. I don’t know. But I did go out on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and my cough started on Sunday. I believe I was exposed to it at the bar/club one of those days. That’s my guess.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has now shut down spring break. Appearing on “Fox and Friends” on Thursday morning, DeSantis remarked,
“The message I think for spring breakers is the party is over in Florida.”
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