Triumph over the scar and scare of Covid-19 – Patient KC58
The stigma of discrimination associated with lack of knowledge about how COVID-19 spread is a reality that left the survivors a scar that sometimes will take time to heal. Aside from the fears about the disease and death, the gossip that spreads rumors and myths scare them away.
Ken, 41, a father of 4 knows that he is too blessed to have survived. After tested positive with Covid-19, he was isolated at OLPS Seminary at Barangay Sto. Niño on September 4, 2020. This is patient KC58 story, which he chose to tell partly to bring light and hope.
Ken’s day usually starts at 6 a.m. He has to go to the fish port to stock up on fish products so he can return to Koronadal at 11 a.m. When he arrives he usually displays his goods in a small talipapa along the road. At 2:00 pm they began their delivery to retailers.
Ken was among the asymptomatic fish dealers who tested positive for Covid-19 at the City Health Center, when news broke that several people at General Santos Fishport had contracted the disease.
Ken, at first cannot accept the fact that he had contracted the virus after abiding with all the health precautionary measures. More than that, he is more concern with his family and the people who have come in contact with him in recent days. A mixed feeling of fear, guilt and shame engulfed him as he feared that he might spread the virus to others and many would fall ill. Ken is also concerned about the impact of his situation to his fish vending business as his main source of income. His trouble has left a deep scar that makes him feel that he has to be held accountable for what happened.
Prior to his isolation, Ken attended church regularly. There he gained strength and confidence, which ultimately prepared him for the trials to come with faith and hope. The support of his family gave him more confidence to stay strong. “God has become my refuge, I bring to Him in prayer all my struggles and burden,” he said.
In the isolation room, Ken’s day always begins and ends with prayer. He always listens to Christian worship songs on his phone. He also does exercises to increase his resistance. Ken’s family also communicates with him to relieve his loneliness and boredom.
Ken is grateful to receive motivation from the attending nurses. In addition to the free provision of food, the isolation staff makes sure that they are taken care of.
The so-called situation changed him a lot, Ken said. “It had such a profound impact on my life. I have to take care of my health at all times because it is too difficult to be isolated. The test taught me to persevere more for my family. My relationship with the Lord was deepened. I developed a life of prayer. I have learned to trust the Lord more”, he added.
When Ken were asked about important lessons he would love to share with the public, he said, “You can protect and shield your family by abiding in the health protocols. In my case I always wear my facemask and face shield but still the possibility of contracting the disease is high. It’s very difficult to be isolated; everything stops, including my livelihood. Also, it may have a big impact to the family”.
Also, he gave some advice to those who are going through the same situation not to cease on praying and make Jesus as their refuge, someone they can confine and depend. He added saying, that in order to survive, one should think positively and must not dwell with the pain of insults and discrimination. According to Ken, one must learn to love oneself and have acceptance.
After 15 days of solitary confinement at the isolation center, Ken was finally released on September 18, 2020, and reunited with his family in Barangay Saravia. “Now I look forward to traveling again after a month of rest. I will still return to selling fish as my main source of income”, Ken said.
The World Health Organization campaign sends a clear message that anyone can be infected with coronavirus, regardless of race, gender, age or other personal characteristics. Further their campaign – “Viruses don’t discriminate and neither should we” conveys that people who are sick with coronavirus have done nothing wrong, so let’s not treat them differently. The campaign emphasizes that we are stronger together in the fight against coronavirus – hashtag #SolidarityNotStigma.
Meanwhile, according to UNESCO, COVID-19 has provoked a series of discriminatory acts across continents, with different groups as targets. Countering stigma through enhanced solidarity and awareness-raising was part of their intervention to contribute to changing people’s attitudes towards groups who are at risk of discrimination in a specific context. Through the “My COVID-19 Story” campaign, young people have been sharing with the public their creativity, knowledge, humour, innovative ideas and messages of hope.
COVID-19 may have given Ken the scare and scars of his life, but it has also built him to be stronger, triumphant and victorious, which is his greatest gain!