An ambulance nurse working for provincial government of Laguna revealed his story in his fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the accompanying stigma that it gives to its victims.
Timothy James Covar, 32, was diagnosed with COVID-19 last April 1 while on duty attending the patients being delivered to various hospitals in the province.
Covar believed he contracted the disease while transporting a patient with COVID-19.
“May tinransport po akong patient na positive. PUI po siya noong una, pero noong lumabas po yung result, positive siya sa COVID-19,” he said.
He told PEP.ph that he learned that he was positive after he undergone swab test last March 30.
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He said he felt sad but that he didn’t let the situation lose his hope that he will recover.
“Noong una, medyo malungkot, pero hindi naman down na down, kasi iba po yung pakiramdam ko. Feeling ko po, healthy na healthy ako,” he said.
“Nag-positive lang ako, pero gagaling ako kasi malakas ang resistensiya ko. Malakas ang katawan ko.”
Luckily he is in stable condition and tested negative on his second swab test.
He is currently confined at a hospital in San Pablo City hospital waiting for the results of his third swab test.
Facing the stigma
The medical frontliner initially opted home quarantine since he only had mild symptoms, he coordinated with the provincial health office to arrange his transfer but his own hometown Majayjay reportedly rejected the request at first.
“Hindi raw po pumayag ang Majayjay. May naririnig po ako na kuwento na taumbayan ng barangay ang hindi payag,” Covar said.
“Ang sabi ko po sa boss ko, ‘Sige, wala po akong choice. Pero sumama po ang loob ko nang sandali, he added.
However, the circumstances changed, and he could return to his home, but another incident hampered his return.
He was ready to go home but a failed arson attempt at a quarantine facility in nearby town of Nagcarlan made him change his mind.
Upon learning the incident, the nurse called his family to inform them about the news, his mother told him that she was worried about his life.
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“Natatakot po siya na umuwi ako sa bahay namin sa Bucal, kasi isolated nga po yun, solo,” he narrated.
“Ayoko rin na mag-alala ang nanay ko kasi matanda na po siya.”
His family feared that the people will do actions against him due to their concerns that they will contract the virus.
“Parang kapag nakita lang nila yung pasyenteng positive sa COVID-19, mahahawa na sila,” he lamented.
He is still confined at hospital as of this writing.
