Bergen County Native Shares Coronavirus Survival Story (original) (raw)
SADDLE RIVER, NJ — Bergen County native David Lat says a ventilator saved his life when he was hospitalized with the new coronavirus earlier this month.
Lat took to the Washington Post to share his experience, writing "I would not be here today without a ventilator."
Patch caught up with Lat via email to learn more about his experience. Here's what he had to say:
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Can you briefly describe some of the symptoms you had when you were sick?
"My first symptom was fatigue, followed by a brief loss of my ability to taste. A few days later, I had flu-like symptoms of fever, chills, and aches. About a week into my illness, I got a bad cough and shortness of breath -- which is what eventually forced me to go to the emergency room."
Why is the availability of ventilators important from your perspective?
"Ventilators are life-saving devices, as I know from firsthand experience. When patients can't breathe, ventilators step in and breathe for them. Although many patients do not survive being on ventilators, the death toll from COVID-19 would be much higher without them. Ventilators are therefore critical in our fight against this disease."
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What is actually happening in hospitals? What should people know about ventilators and the coronavirus response that they don't know.
Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals are working around the clock to fight COVID-19 and to give their patients the best care possible. Some hospitals are overwhelmed, but doctors and nurses are figuring out ways to adjust to the difficult circumstances.
Ventilators are amazing, but people should be aware of both the survival rate -- perhaps 50 percent or less -- and the side effects. Some people catch pneumonia from ventilators. Ventilators can damage the vocal cords -- which is why I have a hoarse voice, about a month after coming off the ventilator.
David Lat wears an oxygen mask while hospitalized with COVID-19. (Photo courtesy of David Lat, used with permission)
When and how did you decide to share your story with the Washington Post?
Around the time I left the hospital, Karen Attiah, an editor at the Washington Post, reached out to me about possibly writing for them. Karen -- whose father is a retired pulmonologist -- suggested the topic of ventilators, and I was happy to oblige.
How has your op-ed been received? What response have you seen?
The op-ed was widely read -- at one point, it was the most-read article on the Washington Post website, and for days it was in the top five -- and I felt it was well received. I got a lot of positive feedback on it, and I also heard from many people who either were on ventilators themselves or have loved ones on ventilators. It has been nice to compare notes and connect with people who have this shared experience
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