Home » Santa Clarita News » Coronavirus » Santa Clarita Resident Battles Coronavirus After Diamond Princess Cruise: Part 8
Santa Clarita Diamond Princess Cornovirus
KHTS Radio Owner Carl Goldman aboard the Diamond Princess during a quarantine after the coronavirus outbreak.

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

A Santa Clarita resident, and owner of KHTS Radio, Carl Goldman, is sharing his story of the battle with Coronavirus after the Diamond Princess cruise.

Back In The States With The Coronavirus – Day 14 (Tuesday)

I have the coronavirus, COVID-19. This is my second day in the biocontainment unit at the Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha. The hospital is part of the University of Nebraska medical campus. It’s one of the top medical centers in the country.

Our journey began on a cruise on the Diamond Princess throughout exotic southeast Asia and now it is hopefully winding down in the thrilling city of Omaha. Although we still don’t have our luggage.

I am fine. My fever broke yesterday. It came back for a few hours overnight with a 100.7 reading. I am told the 14-day quarantine meter starts all over again each time I have a fever. If that is true, I am back to Day 1. My temperature is taken every three hours. Each time it comes up normal, I feel as if I’ve won the lottery, the Superbowl and the Daytona 500 combined.

My biocontainment unit is one of three in the country. The other two are in New York and Atlanta. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) set these up during the Anthrax attacks in 2001. It was not used.

In December 2014, the Ebola virus hit the United States. That is the first time our Omaha unit was put into action. I am now the second time the unit has been activated. The bio-med team has done many, many drills in between. They are beyond awesome.

I am hooked up with many monitors 24/7. It’s a process getting unhooked when I need to go to the bathroom or walk circles around my room to get my circulation going.

My monitors are attached all over my body. An EKG, oxygen levels and blood pressure monitors create a tangle of wires that becomes an ordeal to unhook.

Yesterday, I suspected my biocontainment team had a device attached to monitor my farts. That was confirmed when I passed a little gas and a loud beeping went off. I later learned it was just a coincidence. My imagination is getting the better of me.

My wife, Jeri, is quarantined in another building on the Nebraska Medicine campus. She is in good health. She continues to test negative for the novel corona virus, COVID-19. Facetime is our way to connect.

On Monday, six of us were flown from Travis Air Force base outside Sacramento to Omaha. We never left our cargo 747 after leaving Japan and landing at Travis.

I did not know I had the virus when we left Japan. My fever hit a couple of hours into our flight. My lab work yesterday, here in Omaha, confirmed I tested positive.

When I realized I had a fever, I was quarantined with eight other passengers. Three of us continued our quarantine during the Travis-to-Omaha leg of our flight. The other six remained in California.

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

Our spouses flew in a different section of our aircraft. Jeri is now the only one not infected. The same is true for our friend, Mark Jorgensen. He doesn’t have the virus. He’s quarantined at Travis Air Force base in northern California.

The virus hit Mark’s wife, Jerri, a few days before we departed from the Diamond Princess. She is doing fine, healing in a hospital in Fukushima, Japan, about four hours from our ship in Yokohama harbor. Rumor has it she will soon be removed to a quarantine facility in Tokyo. Her 14 days will begin all over again. Yikes.

Despite all the monitors attached to me, there is no medication being given. My only medication is (drum roll, please) Gatorade. This virus is so unknown, there is no cure except to allow it to work its way through my system. There are no antibiotics, no IVs, not even nose drops, just Gatorade.

I have a rainbow of Gatorade bottles. I was given a straw without asking. I don’t use it. It sits next to my bed as my souvenir. In California I might get arrested for stashing that straw, I kid you not. In Nebraska having a straw is still legal.

As I sipped on my orange Gatorade, some spilled on my sheets. It is now a dried orange stain creating an interesting pattern under my body. I am thankful I didn’t spill the red Gatorade. My bio-containment team already has enough challenges.

Earlier this morning, at 3:18 a.m. to be exact, my nurse entered my room in her full hazmat gear to take a daily sample of my blood. I am curious why most hospitals do this in the middle of the night. I believe it is either a nasty plot to get even with their patients, or the Teamsters Union had finally penetrated Nebraska.

I slept a lot throughout the day. I am not sure if I am feeling lethargic because of the virus, my high fever on the flight, the 24-hour traveling ordeal from Yokohama, or jetlag from the 19-hour time difference between Japan and Omaha. I suspect it is a combination of all of these. Other than feeling lethargic and a slight cough, I am feeling fine. I am convinced I will power through this. I suspect once I leave, I won’t be drinking Gatorade for quite some time.

I have my laptop, iPhone, kindle and a television, with my very own remote (see earlier episode). I can stay amused. When I feel a little stronger, I plan to take that remedial online class, “How to Use My iPhone,” that College of the Canyons Chancellor Dianne Van Hook and my wife, Jeri, have been coaxing me to audit. The KHTS staff is very aware of my lack of phone skills. My team will be the first to cheer me on when I enroll.

Jeri has been spending a lot of time posting on social media to keep family and friends informed. That’s very dangerous territory. While most comments are positive and supportive, there are a bunch that are nasty and vile. She’s a trooper and has learned to work past the haters to keep everyone in the loop.

Reading through these comments, I realize many are coming from ignorance. The CDC is NOT going to release us until they are 100 percent sure we cannot spread the virus. What Washington bureaucrat or politician would want to take that risk? Especially in an election year.

Also, to be totally clear, I did not know I had the virus until a couple of hours into our plane ride from Japan when I woke up to a high fever. On the day our friend, Jerri Jorgensen, tested positive, my wife and I had saliva swabs taken aboard the Diamond Princess. It was a precautionary measure because of our proximity to Jerri throughout our quarantine. Those samples were sent to a Tokyo lab. We never received the results, having already left the ship.

As of this writing, both my wife, Jeri, and Jerri Jorgensen’s husband, Mark, are free of the virus. Those who get the virus appear to be totally random.

Today we learned 545 passengers and crew from the Diamond Princess now have the coronavirus, COVID-19. That translates to approximately one in every six people onboard. I believe that number will keep climbing.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is a rock star. At a hearing this week, she wisely recommended we educate everyone about the virus. She said that we don’t want to create a new level of discrimination. I encourage everyone to watch this two-minute clip:

I capped off my day counting my blessings. I have my health and a wonderful support group of my wife, friends and family. However, the blessing that tops the list is having total control of the television remote. That’s a first in my marriage.

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 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 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


Sponsored Articles


Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to newstip@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com

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.

KHTS AM 1220 & FM 98.1 - Santa Clarita Radio - Santa Clarita News

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

24 comments

  1. Carl you are a rock star and so is your wife and friends. Haters will always be haters so just brush off their comments. Hoping you get well very soon and can be released from your confinement. Also thank you for all the updates I’m sure your listeners and fans appreciate it.

  2. For all of the unfortunate luck you have endured on this trip, you are incredibly lucky to have wound up with such first-class health care. Be sure to ask if the CDC is in-network, though. That straw may end up costing you $500!

    The humor and good spirits you have shown throughout all of these challenges is inspiring. I hope when this is all over you have an opportunity to tell more of your story, whether it is a book, radio show on your network or even a podcast. I know I would find a way to tune in from Kentucky if you, your wife and the Jorgensens all sat down in front of microphones once this is all over to discuss the experience.

    Best wishes and feel better soon.

  3. Best Wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

  4. You are a champion, Carl. You always have been! Don’t get too accustomed to holding the remote in your own hands, though, that may not last as long as you would like. But enjoy it while you can! Best wishes to you and Jeri. You have our prayers and positive thoughts. Get home soon.

  5. You and the other passengers are in my prayers! I appreciate your keeping us up to date with your progress!

  6. Wow! You are a true champion. Thank you for keeping us up to date on your situation and progress. Stay brave and strong – enjoy the remote – and please know that we are all rooting for you and your wife and all of your friends – best of health to you all.

  7. Get well bro… caught your piece on ABC-TV network coverage tonight. Crazy.
    Sure seems like a long time since KBET… tell the wife we wish you both well.
    And don’t OD on Gatorade.

  8. Amazing the media kept up it’s sensationalizing the situation and giving incorrect information not only regarding you but the other passengers, crew and the ship as well. Had they only done their research they’d realize you were providing incredibly clear and concise information in a first person presentation! Your determination and fortitude have not gone unnoticed, and the resilience of Jeri in these trying times is awesome. Get better soon and get to a “final” 14 day countdown!

  9. Good to see that the virus has not effected your funny bone Carl! Thank you for the updates. Continued prayers for you all. ♥️?♥️

  10. Good to see that the virus has not effected your funny bone Carl! Thank you for the updates. Continued prayers for you all.

  11. From all of us at KSVB 94.1 FM, Big Bear Lake, CA

    Thanks for the multi-part saga. It has been more informative that any major news outlet and certainly more interesting. Your injection of humor and wit shows that you are the Carl we all know and love.

    What you need to do is, when no one is looking, every hour move the clock forward in your room 10 minutes. The 14 days will pass in no time.

    Omaha? That might actually be worse than the virus. But, I think that is their plan – iworry about Omaha, forget the virus.

  12. Hang in there Carl ! Lots of love from me and Yogi

  13. Jeri this is Carole Fackler payroll dept at Unistar,my thoughts and prayers are with you guys

  14. You & the other effected passengers are in our prayers. Thank you for so graciously dispelling rumors & flat out lies. I’ve spent much of my adult life working in an ER & as an EMT… the hysteria is frustrating, but people like you who can dispel the myths in a kind & truthful fashion are invaluable.
    I’m also a flight attendant & it’s been rather funny (albeit ridiculous to hear some of the same comments. Hang in there & God bless you all!

  15. So sad to hear of this illness. I feel if the the States would have transferred the Americans sooner, maybe there would not have been as much illness. I hope both of you will be well and back with us soon. God Bless

  16. Carl, you and Jeri really are rock stars! Love your posts, and the fact that they are taking good care of you!

  17. I am a 16 year old high school student from Idaho reading this. If this comment gets blocked I’m sure this is some b.s.
    First off, this happens every time some outbreak comes to haunt us… like Ebola, mad cow or swine flu etc; everyone needs to calm down about the “Coronavirus”
    Second, what kind of preparations are these to get the people back to the United States? Why the bus with no bathrooms for 5 hours? What kind of planning is this? This is an attempt to instate Marshall law (then say it’s the CDC) to label this as a pandemic. This is total b.s and I’m embarrassed is panicking over some over hyped cold. More people die from influenza and we don’t blink an eye at that!
    Thanks KHTS 98.1

  18. Thoughts and prayers are with the two of you. who do you think should play you guys in the movie ? I am thinking Tom Hanks and Rene Zelweinger ?

  19. Prayers and hugs. Thinking of you and hoping u get back to Santa Clarita real soon. ?❣️??

  20. Take care. I appreciate your candid sharing of your experience. Many people do care about you and your wife and family, and have deployed for 2 weeks also…to be sure the evacuees who so far have tested negative also have excellent care and monitoring. I know Omaha was not your chosen destination, but they volunteered to be a biocontainment site in the event something like this came to pass; they have trained for many years so that this goes as well and as safetly as possible for you and other Americans who ended up unexpectedly in this situation. United we stand.

  21. Carl stay strong!! And keep sporting that Eagles hat. Fly Eagles fly!!

  22. Hey Jeri and Cari,

    Ignore all the insults. In times of crisis you find out who your friends are.
    For ever hater there are x10 decent people.

    Good luck with it all. P

  23. I love your attitude, you are a wise man with a big heart. Glad you are well.

  24. Your story is an inspiration. Best wishes for good health for you and all your loved ones.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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.