KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Carl Goldman is continuing his chronicles, sharing a behind-the-scenes look of a coronavirus COVID-19 quarantine.
Back In The States With The Coronavirus – Day 34 (Monday)
The GQ Magazine interview from my quarantined room in Omaha was stellar. Doug Bock Clark is a young, bright reporter. Even his voice over the phone sounded GQ. I was disappointed our call was audio, not FaceTime. I had dressed up in my Huskers shirt, one of three outfits I have been rotating since the day I arrived in Nebraska on February 17.
Doug laughed at my recent post where I talked about women fighting over the last roll of toilet paper in an Australian store. I had commented since I know of no cases of diarrhea attached to the coronavirus, COVID-19, I didn’t understand the run (pun very intended) on toilet paper. I could understand if they were fighting over the last bottle of baby formula or the only remaining issue of GQ Magazine.
Doug liked the reference. He suggested since GQ has a hefty number of pages, it could easily replace the toilet paper. I knew our interview was going to be fun.
It’s been 34 days since I’ve been quarantined. My wife, Jeri, and I spent Valentine’s Day stuck in our cabin on the Diamond Princess. We were separated in Omaha. Jeri was quarantined in a lower level of care at Nebraska Medicine. I was placed in their bio-containment unit for 10 days, testing positive for the coronavirus, COVID-19. After my doctors were certain I had stabilized, I was moved to a lower level of care, in the same building, yet separated, from my wife.
Jeri returned to our home in Santa Clarita last Monday. She is still being shunned by a small percentage of people. Jeri NEVER had the virus. She is not contagious and safer to be around than anybody. Especially me.
A reader asked if my window opens. No, windows in both my bio-containment room and my current room are sealed with extra thick glass. I breathed fresh air for 30 seconds while being transported by ambulance the three blocks from my bio-containment unit to my current location. I believe it’s the outdoors I miss the most.
When I am released from Nebraska, I intend to stay at home, not going to our radio station or out in public an additional 14 days to allow everyone a chance to chill. I’ll treasure being reunited with my wife and sitting in our backyard watching our two dogs, Cadet and BeeBee, tussle with each other.
Our friends, Mark and Jerri Jorgensen, are reunited at their home in St. George, Utah. Jerri has recovered from the virus, Mark has not. He, like me, is still waiting for negative tests. Mark returned home because his wife had the virus and was no longer infected. I can’t return because my wife didn’t have the virus. We will remain separated until I test negative three days in a row. CDC officials are not going to release me until they are certain I am no longer contagious.
Tammi Wild, who is originally from Omaha, posted on my online journal that since the kind folks from Omaha Steaks delivered delicious steaks to all of us in quarantine, I should experience a Runza before I left Omaha. I had never heard of a Runza. In fact, before I arrived in Nebraska, I had no idea Huskers stood for Cornhuskers.
I turned to my best friend, Google. Growing up without Google is why I believe I grew up in ignorance, not knowing how to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, or that an issue of GQ Magazine contained enough pages to replace toilet paper.
Photo courtesy of Flickr
Google didn’t fail me. A Runza is a yeast dough bread pocket with a filling consisting of beef, sauerkraut and onions. Hmmm. I’ll try eating anything once, except maybe pickled pig’s ears or a Hostess Ding Dong that has a shelf life of 14 presidential terms. I’ll have to touch base with my recent friends at Omaha Steaks to see if they can serve up a Runza? Maybe they’ll upgrade the beef to a filet.
Another reader worried if I had a chest x-ray. I had two chest x-rays while in my bio-containment room. Both showed my lungs were clear even though my dry cough remained. My cough is now almost gone. It’s been the only reminder I came down with the novel corona virus, COVID-19.
My Hastings High School classmate, Tom Eager, sent me a picture as he boarded their Bermuda ferry to Hamilton. Their ferry is named Corona.
I wonder how many celebrity kids born this season will be named after the virus. I’m sure if Cher or Kim Kardashian get pregnant, they’ll be the first.
It was a rainy day in Omaha. The first one since I arrived in February. We had a couple of days of snow flurries and drizzle, but this was our first full rainy day. It was a nice change of view from my specially sealed window. The next time it rains in Santa Clarita I will be sure to take a walk in it. So many things I have taken for granted will now have a new meaning seeing it from my current lens.
As I roll over in my bed, adjusting to Daylight Savings Time, I continue to laugh at my GQ magazine interview. Maybe I can reach out to Kramer. We can pose together for the front cover.
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.
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Dear Carl: My heart goes out to you and Jeri! I keep praying for three negative tests! I know you won’t disappoint us! Thank you for keeping your sense of humor!
Keep the faith!
You crack me up! I think you have a new career! You definitely need to write a book!! God Bless You for your sense of humor. Counting the minutes until you get home!!
Thank you for sharing your adventures – and for keeping such an upbeat tone. I’m glad you are on the road to recovery and wish you many happy moments at home. 🙂
Carl, Cher is 73 years old. Even if she looks 35… I don’t think she’s having any more children.
I was going to say that same thing ?
Me, too! Great minds think alike, I guess! ?
Carl, you are tenacious and resilient. Thank goodness for your bright outlook and sense of humor to see you through. I am so sorry you are going through this and I can only imagine how wonderful it will be to get back home to Jeri. My best to you both. Emily
I still say you have to get to The Drover before you leave Omaha – great steaks!
The great people from family run/operated Von Maur should pay you a visit and set you up with a new wardrobe so you can have at least five sets of clothes instead of 3!
SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT
Well, since it is NOW raining in Santa Clarita, we are hoping you can imagine yourself and your dogs walking down the street!!! We will try to save a drizzle or two for you.
Carl,
Thank you so much for these updates. They have been very informative. Hope you are fully recovered and back home soon.
Signed,
A fellow Santa Claritan
Runza (the chain – runza.com) is like the Poquito Mas of Nebraska. Theres probably more Runza restaurants than Coronavirus patients in Omaha. Someone should smuggle one in for you cause they are delicious.
You are a treasure. Thank you for you earnest reports and your approachable sense of humor. Sending vibes for continued healing from the sunny (but often rainy) PNW. I’ll step outside and breathe in the fresh air on your behalf… thanks for the gratitude reminder…
Carl Goldman,
Estou no Brasil acompanhando seus relatos e orando para conseguir os três testes negativos.
Que Deus o abençoe.
Love you Brother Carl, keep smiling and sharing! Rained like cats and dogs yesterday at times in Santa Clarita. Oops, can’t say that, don’t mean to be mean to dogs…or cats! ? Can we say, rained like rats and cockroaches? ? Keep smiling my friend! Fred
Carl,
If you are still quarantined for a few more days, can you tell about your trip. Not the Coronavirus part but the trip before. I’m sure you had a wonderful time before all this happened. Some of us love to travel but cannot at present. It is fun to travel through another’s experience, especially with your sense of humor imbedded in the experience.
Thanks again for publishing the journal. Enjoyed it immensely!
Cindy
Carl,
I am so grateful for your blog posts. You are like a breath of fresh air in these trying times. I live in Los Angeles with my husband and two sons and we were actively looking for properties in Santa Clarita since it is such a nice town. I pray you get three negative tests and can be reunited with your lovely wife.
God bless you!
Stacy Hensel
Hi Carl,
I’m from Germany and I’ve been following your journey. Thank you so much for sharing. I wish you all the best and that you will be home and reunited with your wife soon.
I was just reading the news here and needed to share this. Our top virologist here in Germany publishes a study today that although the coronavirus might stay in your system for a long time (yes you know that), it seems to lose “contagiousness” after ONE week!
I don’t know how fast this study will be published internationally but it might be worth mentioning this to your medical team. His name is Christian Drosten and he works for the well renowned Berlin hospital “Charité”.
Fingers crossed for you!
Lots of well wishes from Germany!
Hi Carl,
I heard your interview this morning on the Johnny Dare Morning Show in Kansas City, MO on my way in to work. I have JUST finished all 25 of your posts. Binge-reading your blog has been more entertaining than any Netflix binge-watch I have experienced lately! I work in emergency management so you can imagine how busy we are working regionally and across the state with conference calls, public outreach, and information sharing.
We try to reach our citizens through social media, presentations, emails, and other sources of communication. It seems we need to battle the hysteria more aggressively than the COVID-19. I am not belittling the COVID-19’s seriousness, I am merely acknowledging that the hysteria that has seemed to escalate is just crazy. In all of the seriousness some have provided humor…..and I say that as my phone alerts me to yet another of my brother’s humorous messages with some sort of meme or picture of someone baffled about the shortage of toilet paper. Or my favorite….looking to trade a case of toilet paper and 4 full size purell bottles for a vacation home in Clearwater Beach…..NEVER lose your amazing sense of humor through this!
I recently ordered 2,000 mini sanitizer bottles with our emergency management logo on them and clips to hook them on your bags, etc. That was before the largest part of hysteria and price gouging started. I am awaiting my notice that they will be back-ordered, but so far production shows on schedule! Our citizens will appreciate this swag as we do outreach in our community! Your posts made me laugh and have also been truly educating! You and your wife’s perseverance through the haters is amazing. I hope that others who have been through this experience along with you both, find inspiration to power through as you have!
Hoping for consecutive positivity in your tests!
Aly in Kansas City, MO
If Cher gets pregnant, it should be named “Miracle.” She is 73 years old.
Hi Carl,
Thank you for addressing and sharing your chest X-ray results! We are continuing to pray for your health, full recovery, and reunion with Jeri. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Understanding this virus immensely helps everyone to stay calm.
Take care!
Hi Carl,
I can’t explain how your journal has kept my mind at ease. I suffer from panic disorder and at times like these, my anxiety is through the roof! Reading your entries remind me to be cautious but not let the negative news and thoughts overtake my mind. It’s been like therapy for me. I am hoping and praying for that negative test to come back for you. Thank you again and get well!!
I too am extremely anxious – and turn to sane personal reports such as this one to help me out of the panic. Hoping for good news for Carl on his next round of tests.
Carl you are a calming influence in between the media warnings and news flashes. Is Jeri getting your best suit ready for the late night appearances once you’re released?
I’m disappointed that you don’t know its Daylight SAVING time. There is no S Carl!!
Thank you for your continued calm presence and information as your quarantine continues. You’ve got to try a Runza before you leave Nebraska. My grandma made homemade ones that were amazing but the restaurant’s are pretty good in comparison. Definitely order the “frings” with your Runza. I also recommend you get yourself a burger and fries from Bronco’s while you’re still here…aaaaaaand a pizza from LaCasa. Those last 2 places are Omaha originals and super close to UNMC. Maybe a kindly member of your medical crew can hook you up? :0)
I second the note that you should contact someone from Von Maur to set you up with some new duds. They are such an awesome local-ish (they’re based in Des Moines) store to shop at!