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

Carl Goldman, Santa Clarita resident and owner of KHTS Radio, is continuing to recover from the coronavirus in Nebraska after a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Back In The States With The Coronavirus – Day 22 (Wednesday)

I moved today. It’s a terrific sign I am recovering from the coronavirus, COVID-19.

No more monitors, no more waking up every four hours, no more probing and no more unlimited supply of Gatorade. I’ll miss my around-the-clock medical team at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. They have been beyond awesome.

It was late afternoon when I packed my three rotating sets of clothes, my “Happy Birthday” balloon and my increasing stash of illegal California straws. Holding my possessions on my lap, I was wheelchaired through the corridors of the bio-containment wing, past central command and down an isolated elevator into the bowels of the medical center.

My medical team stood by, cheering. I am not certain if they were happy for my recovery or glad to be rid of me. 

I was wheeled through many empty corridors, a return journey from 10 days ago when I was transported from my 747-cargo plane. My wheelchair repeated the “Get Smart” opener, taking twist and turns through doors guarded by security and into an underground isolated loading dock. A paramedic ambulance waited for me along with a few police cars. This time I climbed in, not needing a stretcher.

I arrived at the same complex where my wife, Jeri, is quarantined. My room is down the hall, but we might as well be in different zip codes. We continue to FaceTime multiple times a day. Today she broke a tooth. She’s in pain and not a happy camper. I suggested she ask for a tootsie roll so she could do some self-dentistry. She didn’t find any humor in my helpful suggestion, and besides, she just gave up candy for lent.

My new quarantined room is longer and narrower than my previous one. I count the paces, 14. My room is twice as long, making it easier to finish today’s goal of 9,000 steps.

My room is 325 square feet, about the same size as our Diamond Princess mini suite and much larger than a deluxe apartment in Manhattan. In a San Francisco poop-free neighborhood, my room could rent for north of $6,000 per month.

The other day, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley sent a video of well wishes. It put a huge smile on my face.

My clinical study continues. I spoke at length on the phone with a CDC doctor, documenting my health history and going into detail on everything I might have been exposed to since departing Santa Clarita on January 17.

Tomorrow I will receive more blood tests and swabs stuck up various appendages (see yesterday’s report).

We are tested in various areas multiple amounts of times to assure we are free of the virus. These tests are not 100 percent accurate, thus the inconsistencies of negative/positive on some patients. It’s possible to be negative in one nostril and positive in the other. That’s why we all receive multiple tests with samples from our throat and each nostril. In my case I also receive a rectum sample as part of my clinical test. Whoopie.

At 3 p.m., we participated in our second town hall meeting with CDC (Centers for Disease Control) officials. All 15 patients quarantined in our Omaha medical facilities are on the phone. Our full CDC team, including our head doctor, nurse and psychologist, fill us in on the latest status of the novel corona virus, COVID-19. They answer our questions and provide comfort. They promise to continue our one-hour meeting every day at 3 p.m. I am very careful not to crack any jokes, knowing my wife is also on the line. If I made any sarcastic remark, I would experience the wrath of Jeri for many hours later.

Earlier today, when I was still housed in the bio-containment wing, a physical therapist team did a virtual instruction session with me on our two-video screen. There are no cameras in my new digs. My laptop is my only computer. I miss the attention that breaks up my day, but I am very happy to be recovering.

I’ve had no fever for well over a week. Unlike a cold, I had no drippy nose, no sneezing. My cough remains, lingering as a friendly reminder I am not yet healed. I have never been in any pain. I was dehydrated when I arrived at the hospital after having a 103-plus fever during my flight to the states, thus the Gatorade cure.

Everyone in Omaha has been super friendly. My nurses still think I am joking about being fined back in California for my daily increasing stash of straws. I can only imagine what my life would be like if I were quarantined in the New York biocontainment center instead of in friendly Nebraska. I might be receiving my medical assistance with a “New York” attitude. “You’s gotta problem with that?”

One comment on my post yesterday suggested our news team at KHTS is doing much better work with us gone. I suspect that is true. As much as our staff says they miss us, I believe it won’t take long for them to wish I was back in Omaha when I return.

As I turn in for bed, I continue to hear network commentary about Bernie Sanders’ remark. Bernie suggested, if a tyrant like Fidel Castro does something good, like providing literacy in a country with censored books, we should acknowledge it. I suspect Adolf Hitler brushed his teeth after most meals. I hope Bernie refrains from issuing any praise.

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

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 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

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

19 comments

  1. This is great news! Would be interesting if you’d tell us how this virus “feels’ in comparison to other colds/flus you have had. We are all so incredibly fearful right now – and really have very little first hand experiences to learn from.
    Wishing you continued health and a safe return back to California.

  2. Yay Carl! Great news – happy to see it. Keep getting better – an overall goal, but specifically healthwise! (BTW-you’ve inspired me to walk more steps in my office. If you can hit 9000 in your room, I should be able to in AND out of my office.)

  3. There are no fines for plastic straws. They are still out in the open at most fast food restaurants. You don’t even have to ask for one.

    • I don’t know about fines and fast food restaurants but at every sit down restaurant I’ve been to since Jan 1 (About 5 or 6 in Santa Clarita and near-by towns) if you want a straw with your drink you have to ask for it. One server said he would be fired if caught giving a straw without being asked.

  4. Carl,
    I’m sure I could find a good thing or several in anyone; even the lout president we have. Would you condemn me for that? Oh, and let me guess the “network coverage” to which you refer. Get well.

  5. Yay Carl ! Glad you are one step closer to being reunited with Jeri ❤️

  6. Carl, I’ve been following every one of your posts and I have to thank you for sharing your story. I love your sense of humor (perhaps because I can hear myself cracking similar jokes). I’ve been worried when I didn’t see a post, concerned when I thought you wife had become ill based on something I’d heard on the news. I’m so happy you are getting better and continue to keep you, your wife and your friends in my thoughts. Continued wishes for a complete recovery. Hoping that the great race back home is a tie and that all four of you arrive together.

  7. Enjoy reading your updates. Get well soon. Enjoy most of your humor, but find your politics and humor a little off. Not looking forward to getting old ;). I’ll vote for Bernie for you. I haven’t spent much time in Santa Clarita, but I enjoyed “The Santa Clarita Diet” 😉

  8. Thank you for being part of the clinical trial! Also, thank you for sharing your story qith the world. I love reading your updates!

  9. I am glad to hear of your positive steps! I’m sure it will help brighten your days! Continued prayers for all of the passengers who were aboard your ship!

  10. Great dialog of what really went on during this outbreak. I’m a former SCV resident now living in Oregon. I nice to receive news from”home” and your first hand report. Thanks fo sharing. Hope you and your friends make it home by March 1! God Bless!

    • Carl, watching your Birthday Party for Jeri has turned into one of the most complete research teams in America. Your humor is only matched by the Hallmark Channel, Under the deck if available has sme beautiful sites to see, avoid the excessive drinking and ships mates. Get a shipment of the drink delivered to your home, Im sure you are addicted to it at this point. Your humor in the midst of pure misery is a sign of the ‘Carl Goldman I know, your a real trooper, also journalist and this shall be a short movie thats a winner this next year. Keep up the walking, facetime with the love of your life and next vacation rent a RV and travel to isolated places. LOL We only miss the next update, you’ve been amazing to keep us knowing the truth about treatment for the virus. Dear Friend, Get well soon so we can all celebrate the homecoming Friend ginger

  11. Thank You for uniting our people in Santa Clarita. What a pleasure Your condition has brought to me. I see many people put aside our bitter political misery. I usually do not express my true love for people who don’t agree with me and see you trail has softened our City divergent viewpoints. Get well soon, please.

  12. I’m happy your wife posted a link to these updates. I had been followed along but after Jeri stopped posting I became concerned. I’m happy you are feeling better and finally moved to your wife’s facility. One day at a time. Big hugs

  13. One step closer to home…so happy you’re out of the major lockdown. Kind of crummy being so close to Jeri and still so far. Just think how much you’ll appreciate each other when you meet again.
    Hoping you pass the tests and get out of there soon.
    You really make me feel like a slouch potato when you can walk that much in such a small space. I need to up my game. Stay well! Get home!

  14. Good morning Mr. Goldman and greetings from Arizona! If I may, I would like to refer to you as Carl, as I have been following your blog since day one and feel like you are a friend, a friend who is keeping us all informed of his unfortunate situation in a most light-hearted way. As a former Californian who lived in northern CA, I fully understand your referral to the CA laws, and laugh whenever you refer to straws/balloons/baby wipes/streets of SF, etc. I was so very happy to hear of your move this morning — and haven’t been able to get the “Get Smart” theme out of my head. I refer back to “Michelle’s” wonderful comments above on February 27, as I too wish you, your wife and friends a continued and speedy recovery. Since you have your laptop, you might as well start on your book, it would be a best seller!! Stay as positive as you are, and God Bless!

  15. Carl, have you signed a book deal Glad you are making progress.

  16. Hey Carl,
    since you felt compelled to take a dig at Bernie, I’m just wondering… are you pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and covering these massive medical expenses personally with private insurance, deductibles, co-pays, etc? Or are you going to go ahead and let “socialism” pick up the tab for that? I’m really asking. Who is paying for all that amazing healthcare you and your wife have received? Who will pay for your flights to Nebraska? Who will pay for your flight home?

  17. Meanwhile Washington Post has published their interview with Carl and did not put Carl in a positive light. The responses are incredibly stupid. They rather believe the misinformation and fear mongering. Very sad

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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.