By Cyndi Ingle
Living with lungs that burn, chronic exhaustion and the onset of Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is what Hamilton singer and songwriter Rhonda Lynn Harrison faces daily after surviving Covid-19.
As we enter close to a year of experiencing COVID-19 in the Hamilton community the impact of the virus has become increasingly personal as we hear about family, friends and acquaintances affected by Covid-19.
A second emergency state has been declared in Ontario which will end on February 10/21, and a stay-at-home order has been in effect as of January 14/21. The seriousness of Covid-19 is recognized by most Canadians as we hear about growing daily case numbers and death tolls, and hospitals facing limited ICU capacities.
As the stats below indicate, the pandemic is not just happening in other countries and to other people. It is now hitting close to home.
Hamilton Covid-19 stats (January 15/21)
- Hamilton currently has 972 active Covid-19 cases
- There have been a total of 7,959 cases in Hamilton since the start of the pandemic
- The number of deaths stands at 213
- 82% of the cases have been resolved
- 533 people have been hospitalized
- 5% of Covid-19 tests within the past week were positive
- The age group 20 to 29 has the highest number of COVID-19 cases
(Visit the City of Hamilton site for up to date Covid-19 facts).
Misinformation shared via social media
Despite scientific research and statistics, misinformation continues to be shared via social media about Covid-19. Groups such as Hugs over Masks Hamilton and The Line have been holding anti-mask and so called “freedom rallies” in front of Hamilton City Hall and surrounding areas for months.
One of the most often quoted pieces of misinformation is that Covid-19 is simply another variant of the flu. As information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains flu and Covid-19, while having similar symptoms are vastly different. Click here to read a Monkeybiz.ca article that busts two of the myths surrounding Covid-19 and flu.
Following Rhonda on her Covid-19 journey
In the music business since the age of 10, Rhonda Lynn Harrison was planning a musical comeback when she was hit by the full force of this health altering virus in March 2020. The 55 year old was about to take some of her original songs back to the recording studio when she contracted Covid-19 from a man she had been dating. His sister tested positive for Covid-19, but her friend tested negative and was a carrier of the virus.
Rhonda knew she was very ill when she was diagnosed with double pneumonia which kept getting worse even after two rounds of antibiotics. Her doctor sent her for a Covid test and she was positive. What followed was a two week stay in the Hamilton General Hospital with no visitors.
“I tested positive four times and honestly, I still feel like I have it. I endured the whole experience alone,” explains Rhonda.
The worry of long term health effects
Rhonda is concerned about the long term health effects of having COVID-19 as her health wasn’t good before she came down with the virus. She had to stop working a few years ago and has been suffering from epileptic seizures for ten years, as well as PTSD.
“The seizures have increased. The COPD scares me because depending on the severity, I might have a life span of five years. I still can’t hold my breath for even ten seconds. My lungs still burn. I think it’s something I have to get used to. Covid left me with COPD which affects my breathing. Being able to breathe properly is crucial when you are a singer,” states Rhonda.
Even accomplishing every day activities like household chores are very difficult for Rhonda now and singing, which she loves, is out of the question.
The musician finds it frustrating that there are some in the community that believe that Covid is a fake pandemic and that masks are not health aids but are muzzling our freedom.
To people that think this way Rhonda would like to stress: “Please quit believing that Covid is fake. Wearing a mask does protect you so please if want to give our next generation a chance, wear your mask!”
