"My Coronavirus Panic Experience"

Ok so I have just shared this on a nairalander's thread where he complained of having cold and I thought I should also open a thread and share it to everyone out there who might be in the same shoes I was last week.

I understand that a lot of people are panicking now especially those with the coronavirus symptoms and are very much afraid to go check themselves because of all that is being said in the news or media. If you are in such situation, I will advise you to step out of panic, go to the nearest health center and get yourself tested instead of allowing panic take control of you.

Let me tell you all a story of what happened to me last week. I already shared it in my chat room though.

On monday while making arrangements for our TVC shoot, I all of a sudden fell ill. My temperature went up and I started feeling feverish. I quickly handed over to one of my team mate to oversee the work, then I left for the house.

On Tuesday, Wednesday I couldn't go out because I was too weak. Walking for 5 minutes became hell for me because I felt weak and dizzy when walking. I almost asked my whatsapp family what could be the cause of what's happening to me but I didn't want to create panic so I didn't. What I had in mind was malaria, or shortness of blood but my colleague checked me and said I have blood so I just concluded maybe I need to rest because I've been under stress lately.

Thursday we left Lagos for Abuja for our presentation. I was okay anyway. Friday morning I was fine too.

After presentation on Friday, my whole body system changed. My body was hot, I was feverish, having discomfort in the throat, headache and weakness.
Each time it felt like I needed to clear my throat, I would cough mildly to avoid panic amongst my colleagues and everyone present. My close colleagues teased me about having coronavirus knowing that we had just had a presentation on the virus that Friday morning.

That Friday, I lost count of my urination because I kept on going to the convenience every 5 minutes to pee and that's because I drank lots of hot water due to the irritation I was having in my throat. I became worried but my colleague told me to calm down that my frequent urination was due to the cold conference room. His words helped a bit...

The more I read the media especially on Nairaland, the more fear gripped me and there was usually this cold chill in me. I remember reading a thread on Nairaland where a lady gave a vivid story of how she got the virus, symptoms and date. At a point while reading, I felt my whole legs going numb and almost had panic attack. The more I read the news that Friday night the more I shook with fear then this numb feelings in my whole body and felt like I was going to pass out. So I forced myself to stay away from the media.

One Aboki had coughed on me severally even though I turned my face away inside a korope bus, conductor had spat on me while shouting bus stops and asking for money, a passenger had placed her sweaty arm pit on me in a bid to bring out her money, a drug seller had washed his sweat with his finger on me after shouting and hustling his Ghana seed medicines at the populated motor park and of course not to forget, in the Okrika market where I do business, lots of body jamming and these Igbo boys pulling of hands mixed with all sorts of salivas from different mouths... All of these rang in my head which made me panic more. I began to ask myself, "Shile you didn't have HIV is it coronavirus that you will now have?"

That friday night before going to bed, I called my colleagues and asked could it be coronavirus? They all laughed obviously I must have said it in a very funny manner.

Anyway I picked my phone to chat my Daddy.
I said "Dad I think I have the virus". My dad said which virus and I said coronavirus. My dad couldn't control his laughter. I told him see what is happening to me, he kept on laughing.
They all believed my mind was playing pranks on me.

Then I understood what I have been reading on the media was beginning to have an effect on me to the point that it has now replaced the promises of God in my life.

I remembered the psalmist said "The Lord is my Shepherd...I shall fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and your staff comforts me..."
I prayed to God to take control. Following day, my temperature was already reduced except for the weakness and I couldn't feel the discomfort in my throat.

We packed and left for the airport. During check, I was asked to step aside.

Obviously my temperature was high even though it feels warm to me but the thermometer detected it.

I was asked some questions upon questions in an office and my answers were NO. I have not come in contact with anyone who just arrived into the country whatsoever except for my public movements in Lagos.

The lady told me to isolate myself for 14 days for possible check and if there's anything, I should call the numbers given to me but by the time we were done, my colleagues had left me behind.
I rescheduled and came back to Lagos. For the first time, I summoned all courage and shared my story in my chat room on Saturday to drive all fears out of me.

This morning I met my doctor, ran some test and discovered I have malaria and a bit of typhoid which I have started medications.

I want you to know that there are lots of voices out there. Please choose wisely! Please use wisdom when deciding who to listen to. It's not every voice that is dependable at this trying moment. Please pick a few dependable information sources and stick with them. For instance, the NCDC, WHO, LSMOH are excellent.

If the news or social media is noticeably increasing your anxiety like in my own case, please limit the number of times you go on social media to read information that increases panic in you. For me, I completely stopped reading information till I got hold of myself.

Anxiety will always ask for more information. It is greedy and never satisfied. Don't fall into its trap! Also remember the Bible reminds us not to be overwhelmed by what we see. Our God is still on the throne! After the war, the Israelites came to moses and said "we counted and NO ONE IS MISSING" Number 31:49. I pray for you, From NOW till this pandemic ends, NONE will be missing in your family, among your friends and loved ones in Jesus name Amen!

Stay Safe, Wash More & Panicless. Panic kills faster than the virus itself.

God Bless You.
Shile.

source http://www.nairaland.com/5750762/coronavirus-panic-experience