We’re back from the brink of Covid

I AM in the process of recovering from Covid-19 and, though I am making good progress, I am still suffering from the side-effects. I have difficulty in walking and lifting my arms, and am lacking in energy. I have a long way to go as I have been told by my doctors it could take up to a year to get back to 100 per cent fitness. My wife is now my full-time carer. I was in hospital for 14 weeks, was on a ventilator, had a tracheotomy, dialysis and blood transfusions and was on life support. I understand that I was lucky to survive, which was not expected. My wife and son also had Covid-19 and, from what I have heard, they, too, went through a horrendous time in hospital. Before I contracted Covid-19 I was fit, apart from mild asthma. I am retired and for the past eight years I have been a volunteer in the A&E department in North Manchester General Hospital. My wife was a volunteer in the children’s ward for seven years. I was also a Samaritan and a volunteer for Victim Support. I want to spread the message to ensure that others do not experience the same trauma I and my family have been through. I am pleading with everyone to take whatever steps are necessary to avoid contracting this lifethreatening and debilitating illness. I advise each of you to follow all the Government guidelines to keep to social distancing, to attend to personal hygiene and, where necessary, to use face masks and gloves. I feel a personal responsibility to stress the seriousness of this virus. Please don’t have the attitude: ‘It can’t happen to me!’ Believe me, it can happen to you, your family and the people around you, so it is up to you to take action.

MICHAEL GOLDSTONE, Manchester.