KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
The owner of KHTS Radio, Carl Goldman, is continuing to document his experience in a coronavirus quarantine, due to contracting COVID-19 after the Diamond Princess cruise.
Back In The States With The Coronavirus – Day 21 (Tuesday)
My good friend and traveling companion, Mark Jorgensen, now has the coronavirus, COVID-19. Huge bummer. Mark was on the tail end of his 14-day quarantine at Travis Air Force base outside of Sacramento, California. Protocol requires a negative test before he was released. He tested positive, although he showed no signs of the virus.
Mark was moved to a hospital outside Sacramento. Federal marshalls led the way. It was not quite the size of my caravan when I got off the plane in Omaha. It was still significant and a bit intimidating.
A few hours after Mark arrived at the hospital, a lab technician entered his room to draw blood, NOT wearing a hazmat suit. HELLO???? The nurse was quickly ushered out of Mark’s room. That mistake would never occur in my biocontainment wing at Nebraska Medicine. They have their act together here in Omaha.
Mark’s nurse’s mistake could become a great script for the next Geico insurance television commercial. Maybe I can join their creative team? I‘m developing a wealth of real-life comical material.
Mark’s wife, Jerri Jorgensen, remains quarantined in her hospital room in Fukushima, Japan. She still tested positive two days ago. She’s waiting for her next test. She has shown no signs of the coronavirus, COVID-19, since she arrived at her hospital two weeks ago, yet still tests positive.
My wife, Jeri, continues to remain virus-free. She is quarantined in her room about three blocks from me on the Nebraska Medicine campus.
I am still sealed off from the world. My bio-containment team continues to be stellar. Today, I am unhooked from my monitors and the unused port device embedded in my hand is removed. My team still hooks me up every four hours for a quick monitoring. It feels terrific to be free of the devices.
This morning, I cleaned out my pockets before turning in my dirty laundry for washing. I found a crumpled boarding pass from the Diamond Princess to our cargo 747 from Tokyo. My first instinct was to throw it out. I quickly retrieved it from the trash realizing I was holding an icon. It was like holding a ticket on the Titanic. Someday I might test its value on eBay. For now, I’ll just treasure it as another memento of this crazy journey.
Today I volunteered to participate in a clinical study, to provide more clues for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and NIH (National Institutes of Health) as they look for a cure. There are two clinical trials going on here in Omaha. One is taking a drug called, Remdesivir. I am too healthy to qualify for that drug. My clinical trial won’t help me. It will help others.
I signed a whole bunch of paperwork, allowing my medical team to do all kinds of tests, probes and possibly take my first-born child.
My doctor is stellar. She’s a female lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. She visits me daily, conducting a full exam. She’s an Air Force Academy graduate with a wonderful bedside manner, even while wearing a full hazmat suit. She virtually checks on me throughout the day, studying my recovery progress and communicating through our two-way video monitor.
In the afternoon, the first leg of my clinical trial began. I received a full blood test, this one from a nurse who did not forget to wear her hazmat suit. My doc administers the swab test for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. This time I luck out. She not only sticks the swab down my throat and way up both my nostrils, she sticks one in my “tushi,” as my grandmother used to lovingly say whenever she took my temperature for a more accurate read. I remind myself I am doing this for science.
Other than my nurses, my doc has been my only non-virtual contact in nine days. FaceTime, texting, emails and the phone are my umbilical cord to the outside world.
During our Diamond Princess cruise, before our quarantine, my wife, friends and I played the game Catch Phrase daily. I realize we could now play the game virtually, timing it for the short window of overlapping awake times in our three different time zones. Our games were usually the boys against the girls. If we played as couples, we would have killed each other long before our quarantine began. We might now try our virtual game as couples. Mark and Jerri are thousands of miles apart. Jeri and I are a few blocks away, so the chances of her causing me any pain is somewhat remote.
The stock market took a big dive yesterday and again today. It’s the biggest two-day loss in the history of Wall Street. Most stocks plunged. I’d recommend buying stock in the company that manufacturers hazmat suits and Pepsi-Co, who owns Gatorade. If Mattel picked up my suggestion of selling Ken & Barbie in hazmat suits for the Christmas season, it might be worth purchasing a few shares of their stock as well.
I dozed to sleep as the South Carolina Democratic debate was winding down. Bernie Sanders was trashing the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, while highlighting the virtues of the former dictator of Cuba, Fidel Castro. Only in America. Perhaps I was having a bad dream.
Read All Of Carl’s Journals Here: Carl Goldman Coronavirus Journals
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
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 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 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
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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Thank you again for your fabulous updates. I check everyday hoping to see that you are well.
I am wondering about your friend – is it not past the 14 days since his exposure to the virus? Do they expect symptoms to start now or would they expect him to remain symptom free? It is all so confusing and scary for us as this unfolds.
You are all extremely brave – and you are really doing a great service by maintaining this blog. I hope it helps you to know how many people are praying for your safe return to California.
Could the tests be giving false positive results?
It’s mostly been false negatives. They haven’t reported issues with false positives. The incubation period is up to 27 days, therefore, you can have the virus and be contagious but not show symptoms.
Love youR updates Don. It’s a real life look at quarantine and your sense of humor during this ordeal is a refreshing change from scare tactic headlines in other news. All the best to you and your friends. And thanks for participating in the scientific studies. That could provide a real breakthrough.
Here in the SCV weather today was spectacular, a Spring like day that begs people to be outdoors. I can only imagine how confining it must feel to be kept in isolation. Thank goodness for social media. Never thought I’d say that.
It’s interesting that 2 of your Amigos are testing positive with no signs. Since we know nothing or very little about COVID-19/Corona Virus, could it be possible that your friends test positive for the virus, but actually only carry the anti-bodies not the virus…similar to those testing positive for Hepatitis B who actually don’t have Hepatitis B, but are carriers of the anti-bodies, or like those who test positive for Tuberculosis, but don’t have it? I’m not sure if Tuberculosis is the same, but possible. If you have an inquiring mind, & I know you do, ask your doctor. If it turns out true, there could be way too many people quarantined who don’t actually have the virus, but are carriers of the anti-bodies. Just a thought…
We continue to send positive thoughts, prayers, and whatever it takes to have this virus end.
Hi Clarice,
When testing positive for an antibody, the test is specifically looking for that antibody. Im pretty sure the test for this virus is a reverse transcriptase PCR which is a little bit different. It amplifies the actual DNA of the virus to a point that we can measure it on our machines. Either way, there would be no confusion whether the test was showing a positive due to active illness or immunity from antibody.
You are such a funny guy. I love your sense of humor and your lightheartedness, and your positiveness. Can’t wait to see you again at Expedia CruiseShipCenters on Bouquet Canyon.
Carl,
Thank you for posting these. They made me laugh so many times! I have been frantically trying to find any information on the prognosis of some of the people from the US that have tested positive for coronavirus. This definitely gave great insight on what to expect once the numbers here go up, especially considering I work in the hospital I see myself as doomed. I hope you and your friends get out of there soon and I look forward to seeing your future posts! Feel better!!
Brianna
Hi How are you feeling ? Do you feel like you have a cold ? Do you feel run down ? Hope you get better soon
So sad to hear Mark came down with the virus I hope he will get well soon boy you guys about a trip from you know where. On a lighter note I wrap the trash up last night put it on the kitchen floor and my little puppy decided that he would get in it guess what I’ve been doing all morning shame on me on never do that again holy moly coffee grounds you name it all over the floor I honestly don’t know what he was hunting for I do feed him you know have a blessed day hugs and kisses to you and Jeri my land.
I hope that you are feeling well. Thank you for the updates. The news that we are getting about this virus is scary. You are giving us an inside look at the experience of people living through this without sensationalism and panic. Most people are recovering, but those stories don’t illicit a passionate response or viewership. I am following you closely. Stay strong, my friend.
P.s. you may want to put the straws on eBay too…
Greetings from Australia! Thank you for posting and updating your experience here on your radio station site. It’s interesting to know how you are going after disembarking from the cruise ship and good to see you are doing well. I thought the virus would be gone by now after all this time. Good to see you are well cared for and I hope this ordeal is soon over for you and your wife. It’s a bit concerning your friend was not greeted with a hazmat suited nurse at the Californian hospital…eek! Hopefully this does not turn into another outbreak like Italy has experienced although San Fran has taken great measures to keep it under wraps. All the very best with recovery and being able to return home soon to your home town. Take Care
Carl, you are a very intelligent person, I’m surprised you are letting the Federal Government experiment on you with unknown medicines if I read this right? President Trump says he knows more about the Coronavirus than anyone, I’d be Frickin’ worried. The Dow just dropped 1200!
Keep up the wonderful sense of humor. You have enough material for Saturday Night Live! Our NP students at Northwestern State University, College of Nursing and Allied Health and some MSN students are participating with you virtually. THey are tracking the virus through the Johns Hopkins website. Many are also keeping you and Jeri in our prayers. Hope that’s okay. Couldn’t hurt, might help! 🙂
God Bless you and the other 3 Amigos, Carl! Thank you for your writings and, as many have said, your optimistic outlook and sense of humor shine through. Erin sends her love!
I would suggest investing in any company that produces face masks. I know some people who were searching for face masks to send to their college students in Italy. No luck.
If you see a sixth finger growing or 3rd ear, you might want to back off on that trial stuff.
Hang in there, Carl!!!
Thank you for you clever and current conversations via blog. I have followed your story from the beginning. How l got connected being from NC I don’t know but l have spread your information to as many as l could. Thank you again for your humorous honesty; it is very refreshing. I have prayed for you and Jeri and your other friends. Hopefully you will be home very soon and win the race!