I was very careful but I still got infected! Kenyan Journalist narrates virus ordeal
It is important to know that contracting coronavirus is not anyone's fault. This is so easy to spread.
These were the words of an Editor and writer working for The Conversation Africa, Moina Spooner.
In a long thread on Twitter on Wednesday, Spooner said coronavirus might be airborne.
"I've tested positive. I want to share this because there mustn't be any stigma around being tested, and also getting a positive result" she said.
"I was extremely careful - I have my parents that I still see. I was careful to the point that people made fun of me. I don't go to the shops, I order online and spray everything coming in with sanitiser. I socialise with a very small group of people, even then - at a distance."
Spooner said despite all the preventive measures that she put in place, she was still able to get the virus.
"It happens. For many of us here who aren't locked up in a house all day, it's a matter of when now. I'm just lucky I was able to get tested. I got tested because I wanted to leave Nairobi and have a break. I wanted peace of mind that I wasn't spreading it," she said.
Noting that she was shocked when her test came out positive, Spooner said she did not doubt her results since she had seen some mild symptoms.
"I was so careful. But I don't doubt the results. I have mild, weird symptoms. My partner is negative - negative results happen even within a couple," she said.
Spooner said that there's a huge window that her partner already had it and recovered.
"Or he is still in his early days and the viral load is still too low, or he doesn't have it," she said.
"I'm now quarantined in my bedroom. I'm not leaving because I'm not going to put him at risk. My food gets brought to the door and anything leaving gets covered in sanitiser."
Spooner said her biggest fear is that she must have spread the disease to her parents.
"I don't wish this fear on anyone. For the sake of those around you, don't doubt the positive results, continue to take precautions even when you're with them - keep distance, wear a mask," she said.
"There is evidence coming out that this is aerosol. That means you can spread it through talking or laughing too."
She noted that many people are in denial because it is scary and because the majority of people don't show symptoms.
"You can still have it and be fine and spread it. It's not easy making this public. But it's so important to know that this isn't anyone's fault. This is so easy to spread," she said.
"Please take the precautions. And do all you can to protect yourself and those around you."
On Tuesday, CAS Mercy Mwangangi appealed to Kenyans to stop profiling people with coronavirus.
"Elevating stigma does not add value to this fight and ends up making it harder to contain the situation," she said.
"We have seen people sharing videos and pictures of Covid-19 patients leading to profiling. This is unacceptable. It is important to note that contracting the disease is not a crime. Anyone can get it."
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