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Santa Clarita Diamond Princess Cornovirus
KHTS Radio Owner Carl Goldman aboard the Diamond Princess during a quarantine after the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus Quarantine Continues As Santa Clarita Resident Recovers From COVID-19: Part 12

Santa Clarita resident and owner of KHTS Radio, Carl Goldman, is in Nebraska recovering from the coronavirus, COVID-19, after contracting the virus while returning from the Diamond Princess cruise.

Back In The States With The Coronavirus – Day 19 (Sunday)

Rumor has it we are on the “Do not fly” list. I can now add that to my long list of accomplishments. It’s one of the additional perks of being quarantined at Nebraska Medicine with the coronavirus, COVID-19.

I may not be able to fly Delta back to LAX. I’ll contact the “Wells Fargo Wagon” to drive me from Omaha to Santa Clarita. Giddyap!

We will not be released until the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and every major politician can assure every citizen we will NOT spread the virus. None of them will risk their careers.

Our luggage arrived. My wife, Jeri, is ecstatic. It only took seven days to get from Travis Air Force base to her quarantined room in Omaha. Having watched the movie “Midway” on our last night aboard the Diamond Princess while quarantined in Yokohama harbor, I yearned for Admiral Nimitz to be in charge. Our luggage would have arrived in Nebraska before we did.

Jeri is still testing negative for the coronavirus, COVID-19, quarantined in her room about three blocks from me. I remain in the biocontainment unit at Nebraska Medicine.

My health is continuing to improve. My dry cough is lingering. I’ve gone four days fever-free. I am pacing my room for exercise, adding one thousand steps more each day. Today I am determined to go past 6,000 steps. I shared my goal with my friend, Coach Ron Tunick, on the phone today. He asked me in amazement how I would do that. I told him seven steps at a time, then I reach the wall.

Baseball season has begun. When we flew to Japan on Jan. 17, we were still in the heart of football playoffs. My wife and I own our Santa Clarita radio station, KHTS FM-98.1 and AM-1220. We’ve been a Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate, carrying the play-by-play calls of Vin Scully and now Charley Steiner for many decades.

Rick Monday, who is also part of the Dodgers, once shared with me one of the funniest cruising stories I ever heard. Until now. I believe when we close the final chapter of our Diamond Princess saga, we’ll have topped Monday’s tale.

The year was 1986. The end of the Dodgers classic infield was near. Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, Ron Cey and Steve Yeager. Rick Monday had retired from the Dodgers outfield a year earlier. Yeager and Monday were featured on a celebrity cruise. On a stop in Jamaica, Monday left the ship. Yeager remained onboard.

Jamaicans bleed Dodger blue. When the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn, they played some exhibition games on the Caribbean island. All Dodgers games are still broadcast on their local radio. Monday walked into a jewelry store in town. Its owner was beside himself. “Rick Monday, Rick Monday, what are you doing here?” he asked. Monday told him.

“Steve Yeager is with you? They just announced on the radio Yeager was traded to Seattle.”

Monday raced back to the ship. Yeager was chatting with some passengers.

“Hey roomy, I’ve got to talk to you,” Monday whispered.

“Can’t you see I’m talking to fans,” Yeager annoyingly answered.

Monday pushed, “It’s really important.”

Yeager shouted, “If it’s so important, just tell me now.”

“You’ve been traded to Seattle for Steve Vandenberg,” Monday retorted.

Yeager’s mouth dropped. After a moment he looked at Monday and asked, “Vandenberg and who else?”

Here at Nebraska Medicine, I have a large menu selection. I’m delivered three meals a day by my nurses wearing their hazmat outfits. Today’s nurse has me for a double shift, this being Sunday. She wore her outfit for four hours this morning and again for two hours this afternoon. The outfit heats up with movement and body heat. An electric motor attached to her back provides “air conditioning” throughout her suit. The tight mask on her head causes the most discomfort.

With each meal, I am given a straw. None of my nurses believe me when I tell them each straw handed to me would be a $1,000 fine in California. They look at me in disbelief. I’ve now stashed over a dozen straws, certain jail time if I were recuperating in the Golden State.

In San Francisco, they have now banned paper cups along with straws. The city can’t keep poop off their streets, but if I want a venti at Starbucks I’ll have to walk in with a canteen.

Our state has already banned incandescent light bulbs. There’s now a state bill to ban baby wipes. When I visit our St. George, Utah friends, Mark and Jerri Jorgensen, my first stop is the store to pile up. I’m apprehensive about returning across the California border with my horde. Along with illegally worrying about taking any fruit into the state, I now am concerned about my butt wipes.

I am not making this up. Don’t believe me? Call our State Senator Scott Wilk’s office. Wilk is one of the good guys. Our representative has common sense. As I share this information with my Nebraska team, they chuckle and humor me. They are sure I am making this up.

As evening approaches, I order my third meal for the day, along with another straw, unsolicited. Jeri hasn’t been able to eat half of her meals due to an onion and garlic allergy.

I turn out my light, careful to protect my stash of straws.

Read All Of Carl’s Journals Here: Carl Goldman Coronavirus Journals

Part 1: Santa Clarita Residents Share First-Hand Account Of Quarantine On Diamond Princess Cruise Ship Due To Coronavirus

Part 2: Santa Clarita Residents Share First-Hand Experience Of Coronavirus Quarantine On Diamond Princess: Part Two

Part 3: Santa Clarita Residents Share First-Hand Experience Of Coronavirus Quarantine On Diamond Princess

Part 4: Trapped In The Coronavirus Quarantine Aboard The Diamond Princess: Part Four

Part 5: Santa Clarita Residents Share Emotions As They Prepare To Leave Coronavirus Quarantine Cruise: Part Five

Part 6: Santa Clarita Residents To Return To United States After Coronavirus Quarantine On Diamond Princess: Part Six

Part 7: Santa Clarita Resident Diagnosed With Coronavirus Sets Record Straight: Part 7

Part 8: Santa Clarita Resident Battles Coronavirus After Diamond Princess Cruise: Part 8

Part 9: Santa Clarita Resident Continues To Recover From Coronavirus Diagnosis: Part 9

Part 10: Living With Coronavirus: Santa Clarita Resident Continues To Share Story — Part 10

Part 11: A Birthday In Quarantine: Santa Clarita Resident Continues Chronicling Coronavirus Recovery – Part 11

Part 13: Coronavirus Patient From Santa Clarita Continues To Clear Misconceptions About COVID-19: Part 13

Part 14: Third Member Of The ‘Four Amigos’ Tests Positive For Coronavirus: Part 14

Part 15: Santa Clarita COVID-19 Patient Continues Recovery In Nebraska After Contracting Coronavirus: Part 15

Part 16: Carl Continues To Test Positive For Coronavirus, Jeri Still Negative: Part 16

Part 17: Carl Still Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Jeri Prepares To Return Home: Part 17

Part 18: Jeri Cleared From Quarantine, Carl Continues Coronavirus Recovery: Part 18

Part 19: Jeri Back Home, Carl Continues Coronavirus COVID-19 Recovery In Nebraska: Part 19

Part 20: Coronavirus COVID-19 Patient Carl Goldman Continues Path To Recovery: Part 20

Read All Of Carl’s Journals Here: Carl Goldman Coronavirus Journals


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Coronavirus Quarantine Continues As Santa Clarita Resident Recovers From COVID-19: Part 12

18 comments

  1. Hang in there Carl. Love the story about the straws, light bulbs and butt wipes. You’re right, everybody outside of California thinks we’re joking about these things, they think we’re crazy out here. Well, rest up and keep those straws hidden when you cross the border on that wagon train or the PC police will confiscate them.

  2. California needs to ban mylar balloons.

  3. Still enjoying your corona virus firsts. 6,000 steps 7 at a time? Now that’s a champion! Contraband is good. Not all plastic bags fly through the air! We send huge trash bags of plastic grocery bags home when visitors pass through. Butt wipes, straws (what about people in hospitals who need to swallow?), & soon to be paper cups are on the No, no list!
    These lawmakers have too much time on their hands making stupid laws! Keep Wilks…common sense is hard to find in politics! We’ll value our straws, paper cups, & butt wipes here in WA.

  4. Love reading your updates. Happy your fever is gone. Hope you will be home soon.

  5. Ah…the things we learn while reading your blog! You will need to continue writing after you get home. How you got there, your transition, etc. It’s almost like “The Truman Show” .
    Wishing you continued days with no fever!

  6. I have enjoyed all of your articles, Carl, you are a clever humorist and your positive spirit is amazing. I do wish you and Jeri a speedy return to your lives here in SCV. Who would have guessed such a fun vacation would end up this way.

    I only take umbrage with your criticism of California’s attempts to better our environment for our children and grandchildren. We don’t need to pollute the earth any more than we already have. Any small attempt to make this world better for future generations is worth our inconvenience. Rant over!

    Stay healthy and I hope you’ll be home to your family and KHTS soon. Keep up the entertaining writing, it is appreciated and enjoyed,

  7. Did a doctor tell you what the dry cough is caused by? Is the virus in your lungs or above the entry?

    Have the doctors told you anything about your t cell count? Or have they told you anything about your progress compared to that of those who are documented elsewhere in the world?

    Do you know the US infected count is now in the mid 50’s?

    What is absolutely amazing is that Jeri has been unaffected…, and every day that goes by that she’s not is even more amazing. Does this prove that on your trip of a lifetime, you slept on the floor and she, the bed, leaving enough distance that the water droplets didn’t reach her?

    You’re doing wonderfully. While you’re older, it’s quite unimportant as the pathology determines the outcome; you’re active life before the trip meant you were in good health at the time of the exposure, and you’re in good health, now. In Europe, just now, Italians in their 70′ and above, who had compromised immune systems succumbed. Apples and Oranges.

  8. Happy birthday Carl. I’m so glad you’re feeling better. We continue to pray for you and Jeri and for your friends Mark and Jeri.

  9. I am so glad you are doing better. Also glad to see you wearing your Michigan shirt – you got it back as promised!!! May your fever not return, and you continue to get better. It may be better to do a road trip than to fly back. It would be ironic if y’all get through all this, and the catch another bad bug on the plane on the way home. I hope Jerri is doing better in Japan as well. Enjoy your “remote power” time. May it be over soon, and you and your wife are back together. Even if she does control the remote.

    Keep up the great writing! I am enjoying your articles. Wishing you continued healing, and strength to get through this ordeal.

  10. You look great! Those evil plastic straws!! Our pasta, veggies, fruit, toilet paper, paper towels etc, all wrapped in plastic. And those clam shell containers! Hang your head in shame as you stand at the grocery check-out line. I attend the LA Art Show at the Convention Center and last year, as I was leaving the show, I sought out an indoor vendor looking to purchase an iced tea. After I made my purchase, I asked politely for a straw. ‘We don’t have any straws ma’am’. I moved on to another vendor, a large cafeteria, and I asked the nice lady at the cash register for a plastic straw. The look! ‘NO STRAWS’! I turned around to exit and there it was…as big as the score board at Dodger Stadium…’Los Angeles County is doing their part to protect the environment by banning the use of plastic straws at this facility’…but please be careful after you exit the building not to step on, or trip over one of the 60,000 homeless people sleeping on the sidewalk, or step on or step in a pile of feces or hypodermic needle. Admittedly, the last part was the invisible thought bubble over my cynical, disgusted head. Don’t worry about smuggling straws. I have a box of 500 that I’ve been hoarding. I saw this one coming…Love to you, Jeri, and positive thoughts, energy, prayers to your friends Mark and Jerri and all your ship mates. We are also hoarding bulbs, plastic baggies, vitamin C and butt wipes.

  11. After reading all of your hilarious posts it shows just how you and your wife look at the best of everything. I’ve lived in this town my whole life and I’m 71 years old I think it would be great if we had the biggest welcome home party and celebration for you. I remember when you spoke at our church and you are a good good man Worthy to be celebrated.

  12. Owning and operating a business in Los Angeles County, but not within the city limits of Santa Clarita, I cannot hand out, offer or have available for the taking from the counter any straws or coffee stirrers.

    Upon the request of the customer, I can provide straws and/or coffee stirrers – which I do and the ones I offer are plastic! It just takes extra time for the staff to acknowledge the request of the customer – and hand them the straw/coffee stirrer.

    Do you know what is ironic? – I continue to place items in paper and/or plastic bags – and unlike the supermarket (or other stores) – I don’t have to charge a bag fee.

    So – no straws unless you ask – but I can give you bags without a charging a fee.

    The regulations are out of control!

    Just saw your wife’s interview with Bill Hemmer on FOX News. Glad Bill has an interest in your well being and recovery!

    SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT

  13. Wishing you all a speedy recovery. As a fellow Californian and just as disappointed with the lack of common sense in the majority of our lawmakers, I appreciate the comedic light you spread on our ridiculous laws. Thanks for the laughs.

  14. Love the Eagles hat!! Wishing for you to get two negative tests soon! As an avid cruiser, I’ve been following all of the stories. Thank you for sharing your story.

  15. I was bummed that I missed Part 11. I look forward to your ongoing saga, which I’m sure you wish would have a closing chapter. Although there are very informative things to your updates, the craziest things seem to stay with me. This time it was butt wipes and how in the hell do you get that many steps in that tiny room?
    Come home, Carl.

  16. First Carl, as a California Lifer, I’m depressed (and also mildly embarrassed) to admit I hadn’t heard of the butt wipe ban. My mom’s group is pretty strong though (we pretend we need them for our young children, but the secret truth is unspoken, who doesn’t like a fresh butt?!) and will rise against this. Unless, of course, they install those fancy Euro cleansing stations in restrooms…
    But I digress, I mailed you a copy of Teetering, the book I mentioned earlier, for your reading enjoyment.

    The Amazon driver texted me he couldn’t “find the delivery address” apparently the Quarantine Unit is top secret…and Amazon sent me a notice saying “delayed until further notice” something I hadn’t seen before. This leads me to believe you may have a few packages awaiting your high security clearance.

    Also, if you do get it, I give you permission to incinerize (spelling?) it after you’re done so that you can leave safely 🙂

  17. Please don’t come back home.

  18. Your sense of humor is reassuring to us. There are so many rumors, misinformation, and fear. Your funny and calm demeanor, helps us understand more. The panic is unsettling, out of hand sanitizer, masks, people staying away from going out to dinner, movies. There’s so much we don’t know, but your blog is helping a lot. Cities are even fighting to not have evacuation centers in their towns. You are both so respected in SCV. At the Celibrity Waiter event last night, a prayer for you both was said. When this is over, you’ll need a vacation from your “ vacation”.

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About Carl Goldman

Carl Goldman, along with his wife, Jeri repurchased KHTS AM-1220, Santa Clarita’s hometown station on October 24, 2003. They owned it from 1990-1998, and then sold it to Clear Channel Communication in 1998, buying it back from Clear Channel in 2003. Since then, they have rebuilt KHTS as a critical voice of the Valley. In 2015 the radio station moved to its new headquarters on Main Street in Old Town Newhall, in the original Newhall Hardware building. In 2018 an FM was added, 98.1, with its signal being simulcast with AM-1220. In January 2020, Carl and Jeri cruised on the Diamond Princess. Carl was one of the first Americans to come down with Covid-19. Months earlier he was impacted by Guillain Barre Syndrome as a result of a Shingles vaccine in September 2019. He is still in recovery from the vaccine.