Coronavirus Diary Day 2: Long Island mom reveals why she’s ‘scared’ amid health battle

Long Island mom Diana Berrent, 45, learned that she tested positive earlier this week for COVID-19 after days of excruciating nausea, constant headaches and a fever. Today, she explains why she’s “terrified” after fielding hundreds of messages from others who are sick but unable to secure coronavirus tests.

I was really hoping to share another feel-good post today, but I’m not feeling great. My stomach is back to bothering me, my headache is worse, and I cough if I talk too much or laugh, although there hasn’t been a whole lot to laugh at recently to be perfectly honest.

I’m terrified by the number of people I know who are already sick. And as relieved as I am that there are shelter-in-place orders, none of them matter if they aren’t adhered to, and I’m scared that there are too many people who are not taking this virus seriously enough.

Most of us will be just fine and will recover at home, albeit more slowly and on less of a straight trajectory than we’re used to with other viruses, but there will be a lot of people who won’t be OK and I’m scared.

I couldn’t sleep last night. I have one message today and it’s this: Act as if you are already infected and every person you infect is either your best friend or your Grandma. Stay home.