SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — It started with chills, sweats and a minor fever. Steve Vega shrugged it off because a ill cold, maybe the flu.
It was early March, and the new coronavirus outbreak that within weeks used to capsize life because we knew it seemed ought exist ought an improbable make of his illness.
“It can’t be,” he told himself. “No way.”
About a week later, when the 55-year-old constitution enforcement officer who plant because a San Mateo County agency started experiencing shortness of breath and a painful hacking cough, he went ought weep on a doctor.
When examination results because COVID-19 came back three days after his March 13 doctor’s visit, the constitution enforcement officer of 22 years was diagnosed with the bacteria that explained his early-stage pneumonia.
After two weeks of self-quarantining can home, Vega has though made a end recovery and is back can work.
Vega is determined ought utilize his undergo ought assist others.
He is going public with his plans ought donate plasma containing COVID-19 antibodies that medical experts consider can exist the best available treatment preference because coronavirus patients until a vaccine is developed.
His first donation engagement is scheduled because Thursday can Stanford Blood Center. Vega said he plans ought invent farther donations.
“I got along this above my own,” Vega said. “I wish ought conduct whatever I can ought assist somebody or maybe flat conserve somebody.”
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Vega plant out and is reasonably fit, besides he acknowledged succumbing ought deep fright of the suspect of his nation when he learned of his diagnosis.
He credits a robust immune system and a cop’s ethos with helping him survive COVID-19.
“That was when full that issue was starting ought become out can the media,” Vega said. “Ventilators, hospitalizations. I was afraid, because me, because my family. Yeah, the unknown, it’s impartial indeed uncomfortable.”
Vega, who lives with his wife and his older son, self-quarantined can a room can his family above doctor’s orders because 14 days. He wasn’t given any especial medical testing equipment.
“(The doctor) didn’t indeed speak much,” Vega said. “Just, ‘You’re positive, linger family because 14 days and anything gets worse become into the ER.’”
Vega’s symptoms gradually improved silent he was can home.
“Definitely my immune system and my mad state,” Vega said of what he considers the pivotal factors can his recovery.
“In the row of career I’m in, your mad nation is that ‘this is no going ought overthrow me.’ I impartial kept that mentality, and maybe that helped a little, I don’t know. I consider it was impartial my immune system that got me along it.”
Vega became aware of convalescent plasma because a latent COVID-19 treatment. though the treatment is silent unproven, medical experts consider it offers promise.
“As immediately because I build out that plasma can exist used, I reached out ought the American Red Cross and Stanford Blood Center, Vega said.
“I was successive can contacting them, and they at length got back ought me. They said, ‘Yeah, absolutely. We’re equal favourable ought eat you.’”
Vega is impartial because favourable ought assist and aims ought utilize his undergo ought hoist awareness of how others can conduct so.
“I’m sure the public knows nearly this, what I’m doing, besides I wish ought conduct my separate ought further it, ought eat nation conduct it,” Vega said. “I’m sure there are hundreds and maybe thousands of nation out there alike me who can conduct this.
“It makes a difference.”
Vega hopes his undergo will assist channel a cop’s can-do air ought those dispirited by the pandemic and an suspect nearly the future we full share.
“With full this COVID stuff, there’s some sure issue out there — besides everything you’re seeing, you’re seeing ill numbers, you’re seeing nation dying, full anyone’s seeing is negative, negative, negative,” Vega said.
“Well, here’s something positive, and I wish ought conduct whatever I can conduct ought further this.”
WANT ought mind VEGA can HIS FIGHT?
Anyone who believes they’ve recovered from COVID-19 and wants ought donate plasma to face the American Red Cross or Stanford Blood Center.
This paper originally appeared above the San Mateo Patch
