'But for those who get severe cases, like me, it's been hell': New York coronavirus patient's Twitter thread shows how serious it can be

• A New York legal recruiter tested positive for the new coronavirus and shared his experience on social media.
• David Lat explained he was experiencing severe symptoms despite being generally healthy.
• Lat's husband who was also infected only had minor flu-like symptoms for a week.
• Their experiences highlight how varied symptoms can be from person to person.
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A New York man shared his experience with COVID-19 on social media and encourage others to take the novel coronavirus more seriously.

David Lat, the founder of the Above the Law blog, wrote, "Folks, this #CoronavirusOutbreak is no joke."



Lat shared on Twitter that he is 44-years-old and is generally healthy, and he said COVID-19 is making him feel weak. He explained that while he has an inhaler for exercise-induced asthma, he's been able to run the New York City Marathon twice in the past. He said that he regularly exercises, but after being infected with the new coronavirus, he constantly needs to use an oxygen machine.

"In my current state, #LivingWithCovid, I am constantly weak and winded. I'm hooked up to oxygen 24/7. Even with oxygen, the simplest tasks are extremely difficult. #LatsCovid19Journal," Lat tweeted.

Lat explained not being able to walk to the bathroom or finish a meal without feeling winded. His husband, who also tested positive for COVID-19 had comparatively milder symptoms. The legal recruiter said his husband only had "a low-level flu" and seems to have recovered after a week.

"But for those who get severe cases, like me, it's been hell. I've had 10 days & counting, with no real improvement, of fever, fatigue, joint aches, chills, cough, respiratory difficulty. I have never been this sick in my entire life," he tweeted.

Lat said that while he isolated himself when he began to have symptoms, those who interacted with him or his husband, prior to isolation, could have been exposed to the virus. He encouraged them to be tested and explained it could be easier for them since they'd been in contact with a known coronavirus case.

Testing in the US has been limited by shortages of test kits, Business Insider previously reported. Those seeking to be tested have to meet CDC criteria, including having symptoms, having traveled to an impacted country, or having come in contact with a person known to be infected with the novel coronavirus.

The US has close to 6,50o COVID-19 cases and 114 deaths.

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FYI - I have a confirmed case of #covid19 aka #coronavirus. If you interacted with me in person after 2/23, you can cite that fact and get automatically tested. Otherwise you might have to go to the ridiculous efforts I had to in order

- David Lat (@DavidLat) March 17, 2020

This morning, this ex-marathoner could barely walk the five feet from the bed to the toilet - and I had to pee as quickly as possible, chest heaving with the labor of breathing, because I was going to collapse if I stood too long. #LatsCovid19Journal #covid19

- David Lat (@DavidLat) March 17, 2020