PSA: Three weeks ago I tested positive for #COVID19. Four days later, while on a video call with my doctor I found myself gasping for breath, my pulse oxygen levels diving, with her yelling at me to CALL 911 NOW.

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An ambulance took me to the ER where they scrambled to hook me up to Oxygen and IV tubes and heart monitors. I’m going to tell you straight: I thought I was going to suffocate on that gurney. This is the first time in my life I ever literally thought I was going to die.

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I had developed severe inflammation and pneumonia in my lungs in a matter of DAYS. So for 36 hours they pumped me non-stop full of various antibiotics and steroids. When one bag emptied, they hooked up another.

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I remained on Oxygen the entire time, and came home a few days later with a portable Oxygen machine, which I am still using. I am still unable to take a full, complete breath without stopping or coughing. Walking one flight of stairs feels like running a marathon.

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I’m sharing all this NOT so you can feel sorry for me — I’m lucky, I’m recovering and I’ll be fine.

But a great many people have had it much, much worse. Many have lost loved ones. And the infection rate is not slowing — 88,000 in the US diagnosed yesterday.

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I share this for the unbelievable number of people I see and hear from daily who simply are NOT TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY.

Look — I am in excellent health, and this took me to the fucking FLOOR unbelievably fast. It will likely be months before my lungs are back to normal.

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So I am imploring you: PLEASE TAKE COVID-19 SERIOUSLY. Stay the hell away from people as much as possible. If you must go out, wear a mask, always, everywhere. Even among family.

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Be ridiculously, overly cautious until there is a safe, proven vaccine. Because I am here to tell you, friends, this is no fucking joke. I’ve never experienced anything like it in my 52 years, and I hope to never do so again.

Stay healthy, stay safe and stay home.

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