My name is Megan and I am an active graduate student pursuing my Masters Degree in Forensic Psycholgy a part of my driving desire to make the world a better place. When COVID-19 started I was working part-time in a restaurant, which quickly shut down due to the as yet, unknown dangers of passing and contracting the COVID virus. When the restaurant closed, I decided not to file for unemployment, but rather to see how I could get involved and help to contribute in some way. That opportunity, perhaps not as publicly thought about as essential was in a large grocery chain. The store had all of the standard COVID safety protocols in place and all staff were required as part of their employment to comply, including the consistent use of PPE. Unfortunately, there was no enforcement of the requirements for customers and for vendors, in fact there this was a constant source of ongoing tension and dissention. I was unsurprisingly exposed and eventually was diagnosed with COVID 19, and it is as bad as made out to be. I slept for almost 20 hours a day, my chest was in constant pain, and my entire senses of taste and smell were lost, and remain diminished. I also lost feeling in my limbs, had a raging fever, night sweats, and trouble breathing. In my case the major symptoms lasted over 2 weeks. I was not hospitalized and consider myself so very fortunate to have survived in what to all conventional wisdom at that time should have put me in a low-risk category. I have now been COVID negative for almost a month, but still have lingering symptoms of chest pain, fever, and fatigue. I am honestly scared that my body will forever be damaged. Many believe it cannot happen to me, I am not going to wear PPE. I am here to tell you that you are not invincible, and wearing PPE is vital to staying healthy and safe. If you will not wear PPE for yourself than do it for others, who deserve to be respected and safe. I am delighted to report I am back to school and completing my internship program, you guessed it, all about preparedness and education for a safer society.
KGH Capability Statement
