Two months ago, I was diagnosed positive for COVID-19. At first, the ER was sending me home with medication. On the third trip, I could hardly breathe and so the nightmare began.

After an hour or so in the emergency room of my local hospital, the doctor decided it was time to transfer me to a larger hospital. Transported by ambulance, the real challenges began upon arrival.

In this article, I will not go into detail that is forthcoming in a new book. However, I do want to touch on something I believe to be crucial information.

Now that I am out of the hospital and free of COVID-19. The residual from the disease is a lot to deal with. For example, breathing is a challenge—foggy times when I try to talk, type, or work. Lose my place in my head.

The few times that I have gone out in public, I am amazed at how many people do not wear a mask or social distance. Let me be obvious I don’t want to wear a mask either. However, if by the smallest measure it does help prevent someone from getting the disease, what is the big deal?

I can’t tell you with any real measure of accuracy that a mask does anything to help. What I can tell you is that not being able to breathe without laboring to do so is much worse than wearing a mask.

COVID-19 is nothing to play with. Even when the rules seem cumbersome to follow, the alternative is much worse. I am damn lucky to be home and was not expected to survive. So many people have not been able to return home to family. Don’t become a statistic.

None of us want to contract the disease. You may or may not get it. Just do all you can to prevent contracting the disease. It’s truly not asking to much!

Wear a mask where necessary, social distance and wash your hands frequently.

You can wear this mask or do what you can to prevent getting sick: