Coronavirus survivors do errands for at-risk friends

In late March, 24-year-old Kecha Marges began to experience textbooks. Coronavirus Symptoms: Fever and fatigue, followed by chest tightness.

“I slept for almost two weeks,” says Marges, who was suffering from the autoimmune disease lupus and had his 27-year-old brother hospitalized for several days.

But a month later, Marges, who lives in Elmhurst, Queens and shelves at Target, uses her coronavirus immunity to carry out her errands for her at-risk friends and family. I will. “I already have a contract, so I accepted it myself,” says Marges, who sold $ 300 to buy groceries, disinfect products, and buy humidifiers.

“I don’t expect anything in return,” she says.

While COVID-19 is sweeping the country, Killed an estimated 17,000 New Yorkers And by counting, more were able to recover from the deadly disease. A small army of survivors has been formed that tested positive for antibodies, immune system proteins that protect the virus, and could be the key to saving lives.

They also want to help. “Many questions [are]: What should I do now? Is there anything we can do? Actor Tom Hanks recently told NPR. Although he and his wife, Rita Wilson, both have coronavirus antibodies, Donate potentially healing plasma To patients still suffering from the virus; others like Marges are doing volunteer work to carry out errands, deliver supplies and help the poor.

However, there are still many uncertainties about coronaviruses, and experts warn that antibodies are not a complete firewall against it. Immunity can be transient, as the virus continues to mutate and overtake the human host.

“We don’t want to say that a positive antibody test is immune,” Dr. Dwayne Brain, a pathologist at Northwell Health, told Post. “If someone is infected and heals, there is typically a temporary or seasonal immunity, which can result in reinfection from the same virus in the same season. So far, this problem can occur But it’s not clear until we do extensive testing. ”

Survivors can still infect others with COVID-19, as the virus can remain in clothing and other items, wearing masks, keeping a social distance and practicing hand hygiene. It is essential that you continue with your usual precautions.

There is still some confusion surrounding “brand new” testing. Healthcare professionals Donate potentially healing plasma With the availability of antibody tests, the New York Department of Health recently warned that the results may not always be accurate.

Still, New Yorkers with antibodies may be essential to fight the pandemic in the coming months if they can donate plasma. “Transfusion has been used to treat infections for over a century,” said Braining, who said the presence of antibodies “seems to stimulate” the recipient’s immune system.

“We’re recovering, so giving others the same opportunity is the least we can do,” said Marges, who plans to donate plasma at a center on Staten Island next month. I will.

Blood, platelets, and plasma dosing schedules in the Tristate region are rapidly filling, and Eli Steinberg-based Lakewood, NJ, heads to Delaware on Monday to donate some of its antibody-rich blood. I said.

“The Jewish community had been hit hard early on, so we have campaigns for good antibody testing. [available] Five-father and rabbi, 36-year-old Steinberg says. He took his test through Beckle Corim of Lakewood, a Jewish organization that helps residents with medical challenges.

“After the test was done, I basically received an email saying,” Mazelle Tov, I have an antibody, “Steinberg said, saying he would not catch the coronavirus again immediately. We say that there is “safety”. As a result, he wants to be able to pick up groceries for his neighbors, volunteer at the hospital, and sit by the dying patient.

However, it is difficult to get an antibody test for people who have not been confirmed to be positive for the COVID-19 test on the graph, as it can cause false positives.

“It’s annoying to have to leap over the hoop just to want to donate to someone in need of plasma,” says Salvatore Gambino, a former bartender and bed-styling real estate agent. Gambino, 32, began to feel chest pain in March and was unable to taste, but was unable to undergo coronavirus testing at that time.

Without official evidence of illness, Gambino says he was denied testing for antibodies at an emergency medical facility in Williamsburg. Eventually, downtown Brooklyn Clinic tested the price. “We had to get $ 175 out of our pockets to collect and test the blood,” Gambino said.

Michelle Gerbert, 32, experienced similar difficulties to donating plasma. She has never had an official coronavirus test, but her living boyfriend did.

Still, Greenwood Heights-based Guelbart is lucky to see her recover, and recently volunteered to pack food and supplies for a family in need through a job in a judicial nonprofit. did.

“Some people are more hurt and dead than I am,” Guelbart says. “If you are in a position to help, you absolutely must.”

— Additional report by Melissa Malamut