Australian artist and musician, Deena Lynch (Jaguar Jonze), tested positive for COVID-19 10 days ago. She has shared her symptoms, treatment and social media experience.
"I’ve been receiving messages from people who were curious on the symptoms, so these were mine:
Fever
Aches
Chills
Sore throat
Chesty cough
Diarrhoea
Headaches
Mild chest pains
Hectic fatigue
"I am now at Day 10 and doing really well with only a chesty cough and fatigue as my remaining symptoms. I am a virtual hospital patient (which has been such a great initiative), which means I check in with a nurse over video conference twice a day and leave beds for those who are in a more dire situation.
"I am wearing a temperature tracker around the clock and also have a wireless vital signs reader which feeds data to the hospital.
"There are alerts set up for close monitoring. Really cool technology that I haven’t come across before. I keep this up until I have no COVID-19 symptoms for at least three days, then I can be discharged. . . thank you to everyone for the kind wishes, I’m starting to feel a lot more myself. I’ve been working on something for you guys to pass the time so keep a close eye!"
A few days earlier she'd spoken of victim shaming and insensitive messages she'd received so she posted some educational tips and advice.
"I shared my positive COVID-19 test results yesterday because I’ve always been passionate about breaking stigma, by putting a face and bringing awareness to a situation we can feel dissociated from.
"Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to send me their speedy recovery wishes, I really appreciate it. To the insensitive questions, please reconsider before you send them. It can be easy to feel dissociated from the virus, and also easy to feel dissociated from me too, but I am a human and the last few weeks have taken their toll.
"I’m focused on doing my bit to help where I can, and recover at the same time. We’re all in this together and it can happen to anyone. I understand that we can feel panic in this pandemic but think twice before sending loaded, blame-shifting questions and messages. I might’ve been confirmed before you, but I could’ve just as easily gotten it from you.
"I followed everything by the book to protect myself and I still caught it. If you have symptoms, please monitor your health. If you don’t have symptoms, but are concerned, then THIS IS WHY PRACTISING SOCIAL DISTANCING IS IMPORTANT. I’ve had people say I’m brave for sharing and they haven’t told people about their own case because of the concern for how the public will treat them. There is no need for a COVID-19 stigma right now.
"Fear should translate to diligence rather than prejudice. Focus on protecting yourself and society."
"Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to send me their speedy recovery wishes, I really appreciate it. To the insensitive questions, please reconsider before you send them. It can be easy to feel dissociated from the virus, and also easy to feel dissociated from me too, but I am a human and the last few weeks have taken their toll.
"I’m focused on doing my bit to help where I can, and recover at the same time. We’re all in this together and it can happen to anyone. I understand that we can feel panic in this pandemic but think twice before sending loaded, blame-shifting questions and messages. I might’ve been confirmed before you, but I could’ve just as easily gotten it from you.
"I followed everything by the book to protect myself and I still caught it. If you have symptoms, please monitor your health. If you don’t have symptoms, but are concerned, then THIS IS WHY PRACTISING SOCIAL DISTANCING IS IMPORTANT. I’ve had people say I’m brave for sharing and they haven’t told people about their own case because of the concern for how the public will treat them. There is no need for a COVID-19 stigma right now.
"Fear should translate to diligence rather than prejudice. Focus on protecting yourself and society."
Jonze closed off on a positive note, saying "I’ve been working on something for you guys to pass the time so keep a close eye!".
