‘AN ORDEAL I WILL NEVER FORGET’
A HEALTHY young man who has contracted coronavirus has described it as a ‘harrowing’ experience and one he would never forget.
Michael Prendergast, 28, who is in isolation in Kerry General Hospital, said that he tested positive for the coronavirus and has been suffering through a severe case of the disease.
He said dealing with it has been an ‘ordeal that I will never forget’ and it left him wondering if his life was about to end.
Speaking to Sky News from his hospital bed yesterday, Mr Prendergast said: ‘It brought about a lot of existential questions of my own life. Of being trapped in this isolated room and being so sick and so weak.
‘I couldn’t even raise my head and I thought that if my life ends now, have I been a good person and have I done enough in my life?’ Mr Prendergast is fit and active, but does have asthma, which would make him vulnerable to Covid-19 as it attacks a person’s lungs. He said fighting the virus has been a ‘harrowing’ and ‘indescribable’ experience.
‘This is just a warning. I see people at beaches, at parks, at gyms. If you don’t get affected as bad as I have, I guarantee that your parents or your aunts and uncles or your grandparents are going to be. This virus is a killer,’ he said.
He would like to see the Government introduce tighter restrictions on the public.
‘The people won’t realise until they get it. I do hope the Government makes a sensible and proactive decision,’ he said.
On Sunday, a number of beaches and public areas across the country had to be shut down because people were flouting social-distancing rules.
Banna Beach in Kerry was shut down by gardaí and Wicklow County Council closed all the car parks in Glendalough Valley until further notice.
Clare County Council had to erect two large illuminated signs to remind people of the importance of social distancing.
The car park at Lahinch was full, forcing gardaí to redirect people.
The National Public Health Emergency Team is due to meet today where further restrictions are expected to be discussed.
The shutdown of schools, colleges and pubs is due to end on Sunday. However, it will likely be extended and a decision from the Government is expected today.