‘Take politics out of the equation’

Today, we continue our series on the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Over the next several weeks, you’ll hear from your neighbors, faith leaders and those in the business community, among others. They’ll share their personal stories — all of them with a simple and heartfelt message: Get vaccinated. Save lives.

I did everything wrong that you could do. I had just traveled to a large event and was unmasked and unvaccinated around 500,000 other people.

I got a fever three days in and continued to go downhill.

If I had waited one more day to go to the hospital, I might

have died.

I tested positive for COVID-19 and went to Piedmont Fayette Hospital hoping for a breathing treatment.

Before I knew it, there were three people around me. They put me on oxygen and asked if they hadpermission to resuscitate me or put me on a ventilator.

My chest X-ray looked like two sheets of ice. I spent 14 days in the intensive care unit and fortunately did not have to be placed on a ventilator. I was able to go home and begin what will be a slow recovery.

I used to be as against the vaccine as they come. Now I’m trying to convert my friends who are vaccine-hesitant so they can avoid their own hospital stays. Several have taken the vaccine, but others continue to balk.

I believe it’s imperative to take politics out of the equation and listen to the health care professionals.

I’m grateful to the team at Piedmont and know our hospitals are overflowing now with unvaccinated patients, and we need to get them back to where they aren’t hamstrungin providing care and services.

I’m looking forward to getting my vaccine and urge all who will listen to get theirs too.

Jim Sells, 71, is a City Council member in Grantville in Coweta County.