Florida man was skeptical of coronavirus until infected-News-Florida Times Union

Brian Lee Hitchens joined Facebook to convince anyone with the doubt that COVID-19 is realistic and powerful.

Palm Beach Gardens-Bryan Lee Hitchens was skeptical of the coronavirus before being admitted to the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center for illness.

Now, residents of Jupiter Farms want people to know that the virus is dangerous and genuine. He used Facebook to share his experience.

He believes the virus is a hoax on Monday at The Palm Beach Post, where the coronavirus denialists who have protested against shelter-in-place measures in recent weeks have still kept him in the hospital since April 19. He said he didn’t understand that.

“How did I go to the ER and give a positive response to these protesters I say? How can I make up for it?” His Facebook post commented “I’m not allowed” Hitchens, who acknowledged the receipt, said.

“I didn’t test it myself. It’s not fictional.”

Lych and Uber’s rideshare driver Hitchens is still in the hospital and is slowly recovering, but feels better after taking multiple medications, including plasma transfusions to fight the virus.

His wife refused to provide his name, but there is also a crisis. She is connected to a ventilator.

He admits that he initially thought the virus didn’t have to worry. He heard so many different things that he said it was unclear “what is real and what is not.”

Hitchens posted on Facebook on April 2nd, “ I’m honored what the government says to do during this epidemic, but because I know my virus is bigger than ever, I’m not afraid of viruses. “

He said he decided to stay alive in his life, and “I am a man of faith, so I prayed every day.”

About a week later, a few days before they became ill, he told his wife that she might need to wear a mask when going out. Uber and Lyft have come to require all workers not only to wear a mask, but to wipe the car several times a day.

But by the time Hitchens did, it was too late.

“I did everything I could. He was sorry about his thoughts before wearing the mask, and I think I should have done it,” he said, “but for some people It doesn’t matter. “

When he and his wife began to show symptoms, Hitchens believed it was either a cold or a flu, but it soon became apparent that they were dealing with something more serious. became.

“I started to run out of breath, like running a 10-mile marathon,” he said. “My energy was shattered. I was very tired and lethargic.” His wife had similar symptoms, but said he had a hard time keeping food.

On April 18, he posted on Facebook. My wife and I are ill. I have no energy and just want to sleep. “

Mr Hitchens said he could only meet his wife twice in four weeks after she was hospitalized.

“They brought me from the ICU to the third floor and met her when a non-severe COVID patient was being treated,” he said. “They let me drop in for a few minutes in her room. I didn’t get in, but I was able to greet her.

“She was unresponsive, but I think she recognized my voice because the nurse said she could see her eyes moving.”

Hitchens’ improved condition was not enough to discharge him. The second negative test, which is the key to getting patients home, came back on Sunday. He said on Monday he did not know when he would leave the medical center.

Hitchens praised the doctors and nurses who were caring for him and his wife and other COVID-19 patients. He said the medical staff told him that his wife’s body was stronger, but his lungs weren’t working properly and it was difficult for her to breathe on her own.

“When I first came to the hospital, so much was passing through my mind,” Hitchens said on Monday.

“There is no doubt that God will forgive us even if humankind does not. This is a plague and we need to be careful, so I would encourage people to follow.”

[email protected]