KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
As coronavirus begins to have more of an impact on the day-to-day lives of Santa Clarita residents, KHTS Owner Carl Goldman has received yet another positive test for COVID-19 as he enters week six of quarantine.
Back In The States With The Coronavirus – Day 37 (Thursday)
“It’s the grim reaper.” My doctor handed me yet another positive Post-It Note. Apparently, my doctor is enjoying my online journal way too much. I now have seven Post-Its. My body still has the coronavirus, COVID-19.
I have been quarantined at three locations since Feb. 4. Currently, I am in a lower level of care at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. When I first arrived in Omaha, my wife Jeri and I were separated. Our relationship has been virtual ever since. Before Omaha, we spent 12 days, including, Valentine’s Day, quarantined together in our cabin on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship.
In Nebraska, I was placed in the bio-containment unit for ten days. I’ve fallen in love with Omaha, even though I am only seeing it from my 650-square-foot room. I’ve been quarantined for 37 days, 25 of which I’ve spent at Nebraska Medicine. I have the coronavirus, COVID-19. My body isn’t ready to shed the virus, my heart and brain have been wanting to return to Jeri and our home in Santa Clarita, CA.
Jeri returned to Santa Clarita on March 2. She never picked up the virus. She’s taking on a big load. She’s continuing to go to work at KHTS Radio, and then heads home and lies low each evening. Some Santa Clarita businesses and friends still don’t want her around. She also has the extra burden of handling all my household chores, including picking up the dog poop in our backyard.
After being in quarantine, I wrote about my missing so many things I took for granted, even picking up the dog poop in our backyard. I’m surprised only one reader volunteered to relieve Jeri of my unpleasant chore. Fred Elam from Valencia Pharmacy is the only one who offered his assistance. I now know the first stop I’ll make the next time I need a bottle of aspirin.
Readers kindly offered to allow me to clean up their dog’s poop. Others thrilled at being able to use their poop emoji for the first time in their comments. I suspect they are fibbing, having seen many emojis attached to political comments from both sides of the aisle.
Other than still testing positive for the novel corona virus, COVID-19, I am continuing to feel fine. I walk my minimum 10,000 steps. I exercise on the stationary bicycle in my room and I’m working on both my finger and teeth dexterity as I struggle to open each mustard packet with dinner. Usually, I’m only able to achieve a small opening. Very little of the mustard hits my hamburger. Most of it squirts out all over my Michigan shirt. Luckily, mustard is their team color. My clumsiness is hidden well in pictures.
Jeri and our stellar KHTS news team put together a short, three-minute video, “How to Prepare For A Coronavirus Quarantine.” It’s well worth the watch. Jeri’s message: “Look at it as a gift.” She tells a powerful story.
Chris Seidenglanz sent me a news video of our local Costco. The line outside looked like it was extending from Canyon Country to Nebraska. Our KHTS news team ran a news story, “Shoppers Call 9-1-1 For Line Cutting At Canyon Country Costco.”
See Related: Shoppers Call 9-1-1 For Line Cutting At Canyon Country Costco
If the incident happened in New York, where I grew up, instead of Awesometown, that line cutter would have been the one to call 9-1-1 after dealing with hundreds of pissed off New Yorkers.
Another reader asked if I’m allowed to discuss what the CDC and doctors tell us in our daily town hall meetings. The answer is yes, I can and have shared much information. I do not talk about comments from other patients, nor do I share any names of my medical team.
Our doctors and the CDC are scratching their heads on why so many of us in Omaha, Travis Air Force Base and Lackland Air Force Base are still testing positive with the coronavirus, COVID-19. One theory is that maybe our virus cells are dead and we are no longer contagious, but still showing positive on the “PCR” tests we are all receiving. To test that theory, they are flying our samples to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta. Instead of a “PCR” test, our samples will be placed in a petri dish, allowing the virus cells to grow for days.
Hopefully, by the time the Petri culture is tested, we’ll be negative. However, if the Atlanta test shows we are negative while our “PCR” test in Omaha remains positive, their theory of dead cells versus live cells may be correct. There are still enough of us in the same boat to give them a good population sample. Either way, it will provide answers even though it may pose more questions.
The number of coronavirus, COVID-19 recoveries worldwide continues to outnumber new patients. As I write this, there have been 137,445 total cases. Of those 69,999 are now free of virus. Most others are in the same situation I’m in, feeling healthy, but still testing positive. Total deaths are now at 5,088, representing 3.7 percent of victims dying from the virus. Each day, for every two new patients, three are recovering. The media loves to highlight the deaths and new victims. They might calm us all down a bit by also stressing the recovery totals.
Stress is our body’s worst enemy on our immune system, so look at the glass half full instead of half empty. Many readers have commented my journal is reducing stress by giving comfort in all this chaos. That is the most gratifying thing my wife and I, along with our friends Jerri and Mark Jorgensen, can possibly do to assist.
While I am walking my daily minimum of 10,000 steps, I am adopting my wife’s mantra of our quarantine being a gift because I only hit the wall after 14 paces instead of the 7 when I was in my bio-containment room.
Alexis Robbins urged me to be happy I have a fresh supply of toilet paper. The stores in the SCV have been wiped clean. Alexis shares my sense of humor
As I turn out my light, I ponder if one of the gifts my wife discovered while in quarantine was being removed from me. I miss her. I’m often guilty of taking my wife for granted. I believe I will see her from a different lens when I return. I’m just not sure as I wrap up 37 days in isolation if I’m ready yet to see my quarantine as a gift. I suspect once I return to Santa Clarita, I’ll join Jeri in seeing all the positives of our journey.
Read All Of Carl’s Journals Here: Carl Goldman Coronavirus Journals
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Sponsored Articles
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Could the virus be in your environment And re infecting you? Maybe it is lying dormant and after you test negative it infects you again. I’ve been following your journey and thought I’d share. Too simplistic?
Alice, I was thinking the same thing. Carl, I was wondering how often they clean your room? I know it’s a weird question. 🙂 Sending good thoughts a prayers to get you back home soon!
Ikr, i feel like he’s trapped in a room with that disgusting china disease he caught innocently that’s spreading across America causing a pandemic. But he’s trapped in a chamber with it now. My state has closed down schools for the year and we can’t go anywhere or touch any humans and our elderly are dying. Thanks China.
Carl, I don’t live too far, North Hollywood, my four teens and I would like to bring your wife homemade food and hope to bring to you as well very soon when you come home.
Hi Carl,
I’m wondering if you are not allowing your body to rest properly in order to use its energy in a more productive way. Perhaps your body is using all its resources for your ten thousands steps and exercising when it should be directing that energy to healing? Just a thought!
Take care!!
Dear Carl,
If you need another reader to tell you that I look forward to your daily journals. Then here I am. I will also have more time now as I will be teaching online instead of on campus starting next week. (LA Mission College in Sylmar, same as COC)
Your journal are hysterical and poignant as I put myself in your situation, minus the anal swab of course.
It sounds lonely and I know it is for you. BUT you are doing everything you can be doing. You are exercising, communicating, using your technology to stay connected to Jeri and the rest of the world.
I so appreciate not only your journals but your medical information and the fact that you are participating in the research trial. This will help ALL OF US, so THANK YOU for that.
Since I’m a college professor, I wanted to give you another opportunity to pass your time.
Our Santa Clarita Library has free online classes in different areas. This may be another way for you to keep yourself busy and to learn more during this difficult time.
https://education.gale.com/l-vale45179/classroom.html?ReturnUrl=%2fl-vale45179%2fClassroom%2fClassroomStudentLandingPage.aspx&Refresh=1
As I tell my students and my daughters, this really does SUCK (I’m more eloquent in class) so some grieving of what was normal to you is necessary and healthy. And remembering that it’s TEMPORARY is also important. For now you sound like you are grieving and getting into that ACCEPTANCE stage.
If bored, here is our Hart High School Show Choir Sound Vibes Team- Won first place in their NOW last competition. Feel free to copy some of their moves to stay fit!!!
https://youtu.be/nZFiaQjIclg
Take care of yourself and we are ALL thinking of you and Jeri.
Myriam Levy
Sociology Professor
LA Mission College
levymm@lamission.edu
Still enjoying the articles – and how fortunate are you with your never-ending supply of tp – start shipping it home – you can pay your mortgage if you put it on amazon ….
Wondering the same as Alice. Can’t they get you some fresh air and a bit of outside time? Would be great for your mental health as well. Thank you for all these blogs and your sense of humor. Wishing you well and full recovery soon. Bring toilet paper when you return home.
I enjoy reading your blogs about your experience. It ha put my mind at ease a little in this very scary time. I appreciate your humor and I hope that I would have the same if I were in your situation. God bless and here is hoping to testing negative in the next couple of days and returning to your wonderful wife.
Always enjoy your uplifting and reassuring attitude, Carl, you are a gift to us in the SCV. I do see signs of compassion, calmness, and generosity here that might not exist now in other areas. In Costco today (yes, my daughter and I decided to go at noon, hoping it would be calmer than when first open), people were polite and calm even in lines that lasted an hour. By the time we arrived, though, the water and tp were gone. A kind woman gave me her tp when she heard me mention to my daughter that we had run low. We became friends in line and exchanged contact info. Surprising where you can unexpectedly find good people and good conversation. At the checkout the woman at the next register was trying to buy 2 packages of tp and the limit is one. She argued with the cashier who held fast to the rule. My daughter was able to get that extra package and repay our new friend for her generosity. Karma. Good deeds, wherever they occur, get rewarded, even if it’s just about tp. 😉
We’re all hoping you get that negative test soon! Are they testing you daily instead of every other day now?
Not sure how much you’re reading the hometown news — probably quite a bit since you own this station! — but Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital reported our first local positive COVID-19 test today. All our schools are now canceled for an entire month.
We look forward to having you here as our first SCV recovery!
Welcome back to our SC valley. Be praying for you and your wife especially Psalm 91:11 take care of yourself and know that we love you and wish you a prompt recovery.
Carl
I just saw you on a Fox News New York show and really enjoyed it. Love how you are getting your steps in every day! What device are you using to track your steps? A Fitbit?
Carl. If there’s anything we can do for wife please let us know.
Thanks for sharing your experience. My family just decided to socially isolate as our kids’ schools have shut down. We are near San Francisco. Hope you are able to return home soon.
Today Fox News reported on a Chinese study that said “the virus’s RNA can live in a patient’s body an average of 20 days, but up to 37 days, or about 5 weeks.”
https://www.foxnews.com/health/coronavirus-could-live-in-the-body-for-5-weeks-study-finds
Not the greatest news perhaps, but at least you know the problem isn’t with your body’s response!
Carl,
I’ve been reading your journals faithfully and really enjoy your humor during this tough time. My husband and I ventured out of our house this evening and stopped by Canyon Country Walmart to “just see” if all the stories about the chaos is true. Believe me it is, I was astounded that all the shelves were EMPTY in the food section, couldn’t even buy any flour to make my homemade pizza. The store was packed at 7:30 this evening with people rushing into the store.
Today Henry Mayo had its first reported positive case therefore all the Hart and Sulphur Springs schools are dismissed until after spring break about 4 weeks. My high school grandchildren have mixed feeling about this, their track events have all been cancelled and even the April 19th prom cancelled for now.
We are retired so staying home is ok for us but I know this situation is having huge economical ramifications that I hope we can all come back from.
You take care, I’m praying for your reunion with Jeri.
Connie Ceo
Canyon Country Resident and SC Corvette Club member.
Grandmabella1@yahoo.com
You are hilarious! Im from santa clarita valley and recently moved to texas. 🙂 but my family is still out there i hope to run into ya’ll sometimes!
I’ve been following your blog from the very beginning, living vicariously through you. You’ve all been through so much together. I don’t think you could have had any better travel companions than the ones you were with. It’s all about making memories, right? LOL We’re all praying for those cells to be dead so you can finally come home to your lovie Jeri and Santa Clarita. If Jeri needs help with the babies, my daughter is one heck of a dog walker and can help with the poop as well. The stores out here are something to behold at the moment with it’s empty shelves and line cutters, but it’s still home <3
Carl,
Thank you for your daily updates. You and your family are in my prayers.
My son contracted Lyme disease. Luckily the doctor caught it early enough that no permanent damage was done. I tell you this because the doctor told my son that he would always test positive for if from now on.
I know the doctors don’t know a lot about Corona right now but is it possible that you are testing positive for it while no longer being contagious?
Is there a lab test that can be run to determine that?
Hang in there Carl. So many people in NY are praying for you!
Sitting here in FL, I look forward to your daily journal writings. I love how both you and your wife have positive postings. Yes this is an unfortunate situation, and I’m sure you both have many frustrations, but you choose to publicly share humor and optimism. As Mr. Rodgers said “look for the helpers”, I think both you and your wife demonstrated you are “Helpers” during this confusing COVID-19 time.
Thank You
Thanks to Jeri for the very informative and positive video!
Thanks for journaling and your sense of humor! Praying for your recovery.
St Cloud, Minnesota
Carl. I’m being tested today. Hope.Im wrong. Headache, wheezing, tired, no energy. Coughing. Something feels different in my respiratory track. Hope I am wrong. I work with many students.
Wishing you the best! Please let us know if you are okay…
I caught a TV interview of you a day or so ago, which led me to your blog. Consider me an admirer from NJ who feels blessed to have ‘met’ you through your blog. Your humility, clarity, and honest sharing of you experiences put many of my fears to rest, and instilled confidence in the people leading our US Public Health community, especially Nebraska Medical. I am grateful for Jeri, that she never contracted the virus yet am disturbed by the fearful reactions she encounters. Your closing sentiment today is a timely reminder to us all not to take things or people for granted. The humorous stories from your early blog entries clearly show you honor, respect and love Jeri, and your relationship will be even stronger given this experience. Thank you for your candor, humor, participation in the study to help the rest of us, and for continuing to share! Your body will produce a the desired ‘negative’ soon, hang in there. In the meantime, keep writing…..;-)
Carl, I saw this article today that said in 1918 during the jnfluenza pandemic patients that were nurses outside in the fresh air and sunlight seemed to recover the fastest. Maybe you can share that with your medical team or during the conference call with CDC? Wishing you fresh air and sunshine in the near future.
https://medium.com/@ra.hobday/coronavirus-and-the-sun-a-lesson-from-the-1918-influenza-pandemic-509151dc8065
Thank you Carl for sharing your journey with all of us. I’m quite sure you never imagined you’d be in this situation and I’m sending wonderful thoughts to you that this will be over sooner than later for you.
Ok-here’s the plan: start hiding toilet paper now-you may just have enough once you are finally tested negative to last you a few weeks at home.
Carl Thank you for sharing your time in Omaha. I was born and raised in Omaha and it is a special place. UNMC is where my son was born premature, we spent many days and nights at the NIC unit. The nurses and Dr’s were amazing people. I seen the news earlier and it said two patients from the cruise ship tested negative and were being sent home. The first thing that came to my mind was Carl was going home. Thats when I had to check your stations website to read your article to see if it was you. Unfortunately not today.I am praying for your quick return home. You definitely have put your “time in”
By the way Husker red looks good on you. GBR!
Hello Carl!
Hope you are able to come home as soon as possible. Thank you for sharing your journey during this time. Look on the bright side you are very lucky to have toilet paper right now as all the stores are so empty and some of us have resulted in buying a bidet and are having troubles of setting it up without having toilet water spray on us. I pray and wish that you will get through this well and hope your wife is doing well.
Best wishes,
Monica
An “expert” on the TV said that a positive for the virus after 8 days with no symptoms the patient will test negative. I’m wondering if he is uniformed or you are just special? Well you are special to us, so please come home soon.
Hang in there Carl. I really enjoyed this line from today’s journal – “The stores in the SCV have been wiped clean.” lol
Carl, thanks for sharing all the info! I relay the info when speaking to people. I think you should write a book when you get out. You should add more to your story with all the daily behind the scenes stuff you experience. I’m positive people would read it and eventually in the future look back on it and your posts as historical documentation of the 2019-2020 pandemic. Sending positive vibes from SCV and hoping for your full recovery and negative tests soon.
Carl, thank you for sharing your story with us. I enjoyed following your journey. It sounds like u developed a latent immunity to the virus and your body carries a weakened form of the stuff that has no sumptom of effect. I am surprised people are not paying more attention to that. Doesnt that make u the human vaccine? All the best to you!
https://youtu.be/V9YirNgAzXI
This is a song about corona virus.
https://www.reddit.com/r/CoronavirusMemes/comments/fgvarj/a_cartoon_in_the_toronto_star/
Toilet paper hoarding
Thank you for sharing your crazy, scary, incredible journey with us. We are pulling for you, Carl. I think I speak for many in the SCV community when I say we care about you and can’t wait for you to come back home safe and sound. (Patience is a virtue.) Keep on healing! You’re almost there!