A few months ago, I did something unusual for me: I published a piece that was deeply personal—about poetry and patience, nominally, but really about my father, who contracted COVID-19 and whose life hung by a thread. I was overwhelmed by the response. 1/8 https://twitter.com/MatthewSchneier/status/1255869956367007752

Because so many reached out, I want to share good news—all too rare in stories like ours. On Saturday, July 11, after two ICU stays, several bouts of pneumonia, intubation, and a tracheotomy, my dad came home to us. He had been hospitalized for 108 days. 2/8

I am aware—my whole family is—what a miraculous reprieve we have been granted. We are here because of the excellent, tireless care Dad received, and also because of a huge portion of luck. We are only too aware of how many are not as lucky, and I grieve with each of them. 3/8

Our profoundest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, admins, and staff of @nyphospital and @WeillCornell. "Essential" is too weak a word for the job they do, and the heroism with which they do it. 4/8

I wouldn't wish this on anyone. If you've never had to rent a hospital bed for your living room, let me save you the suspense: You don't want to. That's the *good* part. If you've never had to FaceTime your dad as he rages with delirium, screaming in agony: You don't want to. 5/8

I need to add that it is beyond clear that care in this country is unevenly distributed, that susceptibility is unevenly divided, and that danger is unevenly shared in ways that are systemic and unconscionable. Dad is insured (thank you, Medicare), but millions are not. 6/8

I want to thank everyone who emailed, texted, messaged, called. I want to thank my bosses and my colleagues at @NYMag, who gave me the space and time to do what I needed to, a full-time job. And I want to beg you: Wear a mask. Observe social distancing. Follow the guidelines. 7/8

This disease is awful, in the purest sense of the word: It should inspire awe. It is the realest thing I have encountered in my life. Whatever risk you think you’re willing to take in your cabin fever, let me promise: It's not worth it. I know. Please take my word for it. 8/8