It’s not a ‘joke’
COVID-19 is not a joke.
Hotel worker Joape Anare issued this warning after he contracted the virus and almost lost his life.
He said his health deteriorated and his condition got to a stage where he could not breathe properly.
Mr Anare claimed a friend recommended some herbal medicine and he swiftly recovered after taking it. He has received his first jab and urged all Fijians to take the AstraZeneca vaccine as a safeguard against the deadly virus. On the herbal medicine claim, Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said “we do not promote any herbal remedy that has not been scientifically verified”.
A HOTEL worker who almost lost his life after contracting COVID-19 is pleading with Fijians to take the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Tamavua resident Joape Anare said it was an experience he would never wish on anyone.
“COVID-19 is not a joke,” he said.
“For those people who are double-minded about taking the vaccine, please I am urging you all – take it now.
“There are people on social media saying it is a big conspiracy, it is not, and I am saying this again – this virus is deadly.”
Mr Anare took his first jab on May 22 and was looking forward to taking the second dose in August.
“My flatmate who also works in the same hotel was diagnosed with COVID-19 and she was taken into isolation.
“A few days later, I started to develop coughing and fever.”
He said on the fifth day of home isolation a team from the Health Ministry conducted swabbing and two days later he was diagnosed with COVID-19.
“On the seventh day my situation got worse, the fever started to escalate, I didn’t want to eat, lost my sense of smell, I could not stand up, and I was in bed for three days.
“Whenever I stood up to cook I would fall, my body was getting weak and the coughing worsened which affected my breathing.
“At one point I had to control my coughing, so I could breathe properly, and I was not getting any better.”
He said a friend who heard about his situation recommended a herbal medicine known as vevedu.
“I drank two glasses of that herbal medicine, thirty minutes later I could feel my body responding to it, the fever went down and my body started to normalise.
“My life went back to normal, I stood up and started doing house chores.
“I know this herbal medicine has no scientific basis, but for me personally, it helped.”
Mr Anare said he has ended 14 days of self-isolation and was awaiting clearance from the Health Ministry to return to work.
On the herbal medicine claim, Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said “we do not promote any herbal remedy that has not been scientifically verified”.
“Most cases will be self-limiting so as long as patients are well isolated for 14 days, are fully aware of the severe symptoms and are able to seek help with severe symptoms.”