A man who didn't take COVID-19 seriously has shared a video from his hospital bed, urging others not to make the same mistake he did.
Throughout the pandemic, there has been a lot of misinformation about the virus and its effects spread by everyone from conspiracy theorists to elected politicians. One man, Chuck, was somebody who believed "the wrong people" saying "the wrong things" and ended up in the hospital, waiting to hear from his doctor whether he would need to be intubated.
Chuck asked his friend to pass on his message, which he recorded from his bed as he awaited that decision.
"I didn't wear a mask. I should have. I didn't," he began, visibly struggling for breath. "I believed this was just the flu. That it was all going to go away. That it was political. I didn't think a mask would help."
"You don't want to end up like me," Chuck continued. "I've been having trouble breathing. I may have to be intubated if I get any worse. I will get intubated if I get any worse. It's so hard to breathe. It affects every person different[ly]. But if it affects you the way it's affected me, you don't want it."
"If wearing a mask can reduce your chances of getting this, even by 5 percent, just wear a mask. Do it for your children. For your loved ones. Do it for yourself."
In an update, he described how others had been less than kind in response to his video. Though the majority of comments were supportive and hoping for his recovery, there were those that blamed him and others for the spread.
"Thank god I haven't given it to anyone but my wife," he said in the update. "Or she gave it to me, we don't really know."
"I listened to the wrong people say the wrong things. I was wrong. You can't be more wrong. But to wish me death, to say I don't deserve to be treated? What is wrong with you people? We're supposed to love one another. Pray for one another. I pray for all y'all. I pray you all don't get it. Just wear a mask."
He explained that though he didn't wear a mask, this was due to claustrophobia and that he did wear a visor. He again urged others to wear one, and seek help if they too are claustrophobic.
Thankfully, Chuck's condition is improving. Others may not be so lucky.
