Limits on testing have human consequences

The nightmare I am living might have been avoided, Nathan Brotman says.

I am an 82-year-old man living in N.D.G. I am writing to tell my story so that others are aware of how government decisions regarding who should be tested during the COVID-19 crisis have had a tragic human cost that must not be forgotten.

Our heartbreak was made all the worse by the lack of compassion shown to us by public health authorities in relation to my repeated requests to get myself tested.

Our nightmare began on March 26, when I developed a terrible cough. I moved to sleep in another room because my cough was waking up my wife, Lila. I had no fever, but was concerned enough to call 811 for advice and information. Since I had no fever or problem with breathing, I was told I could not be tested for COVID -19.

When my cough subsided, I moved back into the bedroom; I hadn’t heard anything about asymptomatic transmission at that point. Approximately five days later, my wife felt weak, and fell.

Upon the advice of our family doctor, we took her to the emergency room of the Jewish General Hospital. They found that her wrist was fractured. Given my recent cough and my wife’s weakness, they tested her for COVID-19 and sent us home with advice to stay apart as much as possible and wear protective gear (which they did not supply).

Two days later, we received a call that she had tested positive. For the next two weeks, I cared as much as possible for my wife, who, although had no fever or difficulty breathing, was suffering terrible gastrointestinal issues and weakness. During this time, my daughter and I asked for me to be tested, but I was told that since I had no fever or breathing difficulties, I would not be. We made repeated requests, but the answer was always the same: “no symptoms, no test.” We were shocked and angered, given that I had not only lived beside and cared for my wife with COVID-19 for almost three weeks, but was the one who had a cough in the first place.

Tragically, after almost three weeks, my beloved wife and soulmate suddenly developed breathing problems and was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in critical condition. She passed away on May 1, two days after her 81st birthday.

Grieving during a time when loved ones must be apart is heartbreaking. Having to live with the anxiety of not knowing my health status contributed greatly to my burden and distress, as well as that of my children. Front-line workers have top priority for getting tested. Was I not playing a “front-line” role when I was the sole person providing care and support to my wife? On compassionate grounds alone, this one test should have been approved. Instead, my daughter was told, “Ma’am if it helps you, as long as your dad isolates for two weeks, now that your mom is in hospital, then after that time, 99 per cent you can be assured that he is negative.” This was meant to calm and reassure my daughter, who had wanted to be near me as we shared our pain, fear and grief.

Finally, with the amazing help of my MNA Kathleen Weil, I was able to get tested. I received my COVID-19 positive result on May 13.

The rules for testing eligibility have now been broadened to include asymptomatic people who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, but that is cold comfort to me.

If I had been tested for COVID -19 when I first got sick, perhaps there is a chance this nightmare I am living could have been avoided. Certainly, the added stress of not knowing my COVID status during a time of much pain and anguish could have been diminished with a little compassion and common sense.

On compassionate grounds alone, this one test should have been approved.