One of many first Minnesotans to publicly acknowledge testing optimistic for COVID-19 was 20-year-old Jonah Stillman of Excelsior. He took to Twitter final week to induce individuals to take the pandemic severely.
Stillman, who was in self-quarantine, acquired phrase from the Minnesota Division of Well being earlier this week that he’s within the clear. He joined MPR Information host Tom Crann to speak concerning the expertise.
Hear the dialog utilizing the audio participant above, or learn the transcript beneath. It has been evenly edited for size and readability.
Tom Crann: How you feel right this moment?
Jonah Stillman: I am feeling a lot better right this moment. I might say I am nearly completely again to regular.
Crann: You bought a check again in that interval when checks had been much less restricted and out there by drive-through check websites. Is that how that labored?
Stillman: It was really even earlier than we began seeing drive-through check websites pop up. I went to an area physician’s workplace. They examined me as a result of I had been touring for work. I used to be in a number of completely different areas that had been thought of excessive threat areas. I used to be examined instantly, quarantined and came upon I used to be optimistic.
Crann: Did you’ve signs at the moment?
Stillman: I did have minor signs — sore throat, a cough and minor physique aches. I used to be convincing myself that the physique aches had been from lengthy aircraft rides, prepare rides, and many others. However I am very glad I received examined.
Crann: How unhealthy did the signs get after you had been examined?
Stillman: So I had what I might say was a minor chilly at first. I had arrived house from my journey on a Thursday. I received my check outcomes again on that Saturday, and by Monday morning, I used to be working a really excessive fever — I feel round 104 levels for nearly 4 consecutive days after that — the worst physique aches I’ve ever felt, horrible cough, sore throat, no sense of odor or style in any way, and really, little or no urge for food. It was by far the sickest I’ve ever been and it was a few four- to five-day window the place it was simply brutal.
Crann: Did you’ve medical care throughout any of that interval, or had been you simply type of working this out at house alone?
Stillman: I used to be quarantined in my home with my mom, who was my caretaker. I really feel very fortunate to have had somebody. However there was no medical care. I’ve ample medical doctors in my household who suggested me. You realize, there’s nothing actually to do — keep house, keep hydrated. However I used to be having communication through cellphone with the Minnesota Division of Well being a number of occasions a day. So I used to be being checked in on loads.
Crann: How’s your mother?
Stillman: My mother’s doing nice. You realize, fortunately, we expect we had been very sensible about it. We had very restricted interplay. I did not actually depart my room. She would go away meals on the high of the steps and I might go seize it. She has confirmed no indicators of signs. She feels wholesome. I really feel completely satisfied and hopeful that that continues.
Crann: So beginning this weekend, we’re urged by the governor to remain at house aside from important journeys. What would you say to anybody, particularly in your era, Gen Z, who simply is not inclined to take all this social distancing severely?
Stillman: That was the entire function behind my tweet. You realize, I would not say I used to be ignorant or naive to this when it began, however I did not assume one, I might for certain get it and, two, I did not assume I might get that sick. However I can let you know I used to be undoubtedly down for the depend, and in the event you’re not taking this severely, I absolutely would. Particularly to my era, we declare to be probably the most digitally linked and technologically savvy era in historical past, so it should not change every thing. We’ve limitless means to remain linked with pals. It is not the tip of the world. We’ll get previous this for certain.