Alex’s appeal for people to do right thing over virus
A Covid-19 survivor who is still struggling with the long-term effects of the illness has urged people to play their part in stopping the spread of the virus.
Alex Guerrero, 46, from Loughborough, says he is still “having days that are not so good”, even though it is now six months since he left hospital following two weeks on an intensive care ward.
And he says that anyone who thinks wearing a mask is uncomfortable should try being intubated if they want to know what real discomfort is.
Alex shared his story with the Mercury back in June after taking part in a clinical trial for dexamethasone - a drug used for treatment of severe coronavirus cases.
He has now been recruited to lend his voice to Leicestershire County Council’s “It’s Down To Us” campaign.
Alex, a project manager, said: “I just want people to take as much care as they can and follow the guidance.
“I really wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I’ve been through. I wouldn’t want anyone’s partner or people themselves receiving a phone call saying that their significant other might not come out of hospital – but that was the scenario we were faced with.
“I know that, for some people, wearing a mask, for example, is uncomfortable, but try being incubated in terms of being uncomfortable.”
Mike Sandys, the county council’s director of public health, says that infection rates need to be brought down to around 150 cases per 100,000 people for the county to leave lockdown in tier one.
He said a rate of 150 to 200 could tip Leicestershire into tier two and the current rate of around 300 could mean tier three restrictions after December 2 - the date the government says national measures will end and we will return to a regional system.
Mike said: “Alex’s experience really resonates with me. It’s clear he is still dealing with the effects of having Covid-19 and he’s right that it is down to us all to play our part.
“The advice is pretty clear – if you have symptoms, please get tested. You must book an appointment by contacting 119 or through the nhs. uk website.
“We know there’s an impact on people’s lives, but we have to keep doing the right thing by staying at home - except for education, work, exercise, medical reasons and food shopping - and following a good hygiene regime, wearing a mask and keeping two metres apart.
“This will help to bring down the numbers. We need to be halving our numbers to give ourselves the best chance of leaving lockdown in tier one.”
Alex added: “I still have days when I’m not so good. I still get breathless.
“It just means I’ve had to learn to adapt to what I can do.
“It’s also made me fully appreciate the things which are important in life – the things I value the most, such as my family, who this probably affected the most.”
I still have days when I’m not so good. I still get breathless. It just means I’ve had to learn to adapt to what I can do.