THREAD: I've pondered this for a long time for a few reasons: I value my privacy immensely; I fear causing myself more stress by talking; & I fear receiving stigma.

But I realise I'm uniquely qualified to help others. So, I'll be brave.

I am a presumptive #COVID19 #survivor. /1

A request: For those of you with a personal relationship with me, I’d ask you to message me privately about what I’m sharing here today, so as to not discuss my personal life in a public setting. Thank you.

I also don’t wish to publicly comment beyond any details shared here.
/2

I don't wish to describe the long list of frightening symptoms I experienced, nor the symptom onset date or duration. I will say: I was acutely ill & was deeply scared about both the intensity and range of symptoms I experienced. I’m in my 40s w/ no pre-existing conditions.
/3

I don’t wish to publicly speculate where I think I got it (I have an idea or two), despite my taking immense precautions not to. I did "all the right things" & still got sick.

What I can say for sure is that it was community transmission. I self-isolated when I became aware.
/4

I was fortunate to recover largely at home, with the help of many daily doctor tele-appointments, a few brief visits to the ER (including a brain MRI), the care of people who love me, rest, fluids, a thermometer, online groceries, & the faith I follow (Psalm 91 is solid gold).
/5

I am fortunate to know a few of the leaders involved with COVID decision-making writ large. All highly educated, experienced, and principled. All use science, not politics, to inform best practice. Relative to many other jurisdictions, we are extremely fortunate here in BC.
/6

As a rule, I don't like to speak beyond my expertise. It doesn't meaningfully advance discussions to be an 'arm chair epidemiologist'.

With school coming soon, though, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to ask important ‘thought questions’, like:
/7

1. How ready are we to provide trauma-informed care to kids whose parents/grandparents become infected or, worse, die?
2. How ready are we to support kids if they become infected themselves?
3. How are kids going to engage w/ grandparents/non-household loved ones?
/8

4. How ready are we to support not only the survivors of COVID19, but also the family, friends, & medical staff who supported them?
5. How do we best care for those who get COVID but who live with those who are high-risk/vulnerable, or are high-risk/vulnerable themselves? /9

6. What if the only family one has is geographically distant?
7. What about single parents, who are their households’ only income-provider? Do they have enough childcare support, for example?
/10

8. Do children with special needs and disabilities have enough support, both at home and in school?
9. How can we ensure enough time/resources be given to children with special needs and disabilities so they get the same equitable & safe start to schooling in September?
/11

I won't proclaim that this list of 'thought questions' is by any means exhaustive, but they are indeed some that I'm pondering deeply.
/12

I'm about as fully 'recovered', physically speaking, as can be, but knowledge about the virus is still growing in real time & much is still unknown.

Simply put, this isn't a bad cold or flu, friends. Stay the course. Whatever you do, please don't get complacent.

Peace.
/Fin