Opinion news coverage by Karim Bassil, Staff Writer

April 27th, 2020

It was in early March, during the evening, when George Junior Merheb was returning home in the car and a headache suddenly hit him. He started getting sweaty and felt a fever coming on, followed by a dry cough. Worried and shocked, he checked for CoViD-19 symptoms online like anyone else would. George thought that it was nearly impossible, for him to get the virus while Lebanon was still at very low numbers. He returned home, checked his temperature and it was at a mild 38.5˚C. George went back to sleep, and around 5:30-6:00 am he woke up and called the Keserwan Medical Clinic (KMC), which was the closest hospital in his area, and asked them about the symptoms. They had told him that they were not available to receive him in the Emergency Room at the moment. A few hours later, George felt the symptoms getting worse and decided to try his luck again at KMC. The doctors there told him that they did not have the CoViD-19 test and were not equipped to receive patients with symptoms. 

That is when George decided to call his parents and inform them that he was headed to Rafic Hariri Hospital (RHH) to have the test administered on him. He had to see whether or not he would test positive for the virus, as this would be a moment of panic for anyone. At RHH they administered the test and told him that the result would come out in two days-time. That is when George returned home and did the self-isolation procedure which included; staying in his room, not being in contact with anyone from his family, having his food dropped at his bedroom door and using his own bathroom. Before finding out the results, he called everyone he knew and was in contact with and informed them of his situation. On day two of being isolated at home, George received the phone call which would tell him that he tested positive for CoViD-19. 

George packed his stuff, told his parents and immediately headed for the hospital. In his head, he was worried about his friends and family whom he was in contact with during the recent weeks and whether or not they were infected. His mother and sister were the people that he was in contact with in the last couple of days, and they luckily tested negative for the virus but remained overnight at RHH for observation. 

During this time, George saw the power of social media and what it could do. Everything went viral, from his case to things he shared with friends. At first, this bothered him because he thought this should stay private, but then he realized that this could potentially to raise awareness on the matter. Being infected with the virus was a reality check for George, and luckily that carried over to his friends and his entourage. According to him, people in the area never took it seriously in the earlier days because the infected zones were down near Beirut or near the airport. However, when people realized that anyone was prone to contract the virus they had an attitude change. Despite social media having a positive effect, it also brought along a negative one. Rumors began to spread and that was when George decided to take to Instagram to clear up the air surrounding these rumors as well as raise even more awareness on the situation. 

Most people that George had contact with, tested negative, except for two people he had seen four days before contracting the virus. Through these two people, he found out how he was infected. As it turns out, one of the concerned people had been in London and through multiple airports and that is where they possibly, unknowingly, picked up the virus. 

According to George, RHH was very well equipped, they were very accommodating and took good care, and still are taking care, of him and other patients. He stayed in the isolation ward for 22 days. Ten days after being there, he was administered the test again and tested positive. To be in the clear, the number that should be 40 and above. George tested at 39.9 twice 20 days into isolation, that is when he felt hopeless. After 22 days, and despite testing positive, George was allowed to go back home under certain conditions authorized legally by the Ministry of Health. 

George is currently living at home in the mountains, away from the rest of the family. He says that they are preferable living conditions than the ones of the isolation room, which is understandable. While at home, George tested negative twice for the virus, but sadly tested positive again last Sunday, April 19th. George is currently only taking medication for the symptoms, which is the dry cough, and is rid of the fever. He is also taking vitamins C and D along with Zinc which are acting to boost his immunity. George also stated that the malaria medication was only given to patients in the early phases of the virus and that he is way passed it at this point. He would also like to point out that; although RHH is fully equipped and prepared to receive CoViD-19 patients (about 300 rooms), most patients, who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, are being quarantined at home just like he is. Around 26 or 27 patients, who’s conditions are critical, are being held at the hospital. 

George’s final messages were for people who have the virus to keep their heads held high. There are ups and downs and sometimes a person can feel hopeless at times, but things do get better. George said that he is determined to beat the virus despite the unsteady numbers in his results. His testimony is a great example that we should all keep looking forward to better days after the pandemic ends. Things may not return exactly to normal once this is all over, but working together as a people we can overcome this. Also, people must get the idea that contracting the virus is something to be ashamed of and that they must keep it a secret. Doing that only hurts you, those around you and the rest of humanity.