Stories of COVID-19 in the Community
The experiences described on this page are provided by Boulder County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 and agreed to share their experience for educational purposes. No person was compensated for their submission in any way. Statements were selected to represent different types of experiences, ages, and locations within Boulder County. Some statements have been edited for clarity or brevity. For more information about the disease, please visit the Boulder County COVID-19 page.
Symptoms
Starting with severe chills, which turned into 13 straight days of temperature above 100 degrees I was always achey. The headaches were severe. I always felt like I would take 2 steps forward and 3 back daily. I always had hope that I would turn the corner but it took a long time before I did.
Erie Resident, Early 60s
It feels horrendous. The cough is intense and lingers all day, and does not go away. It felt like someone was pushing down on my chest throughout the day and sometimes it would feel like I had inhaled smoke. Sleeping at night could be difficult because of coughing spells.
Boulder Resident, Mid 20s
I believe the mental aspect was the worse. People who knew would no longer text or call. People looked at me strange after my time in quarantine. Physically I never had any symptoms.
Longmont Resident, Mid 40s
It’s a wild roller coaster ride of ups and downs. I had diarrhea, low fever, and no appetite for about 2 weeks. Then I had chills and loose stools for 2 months. After 4 months, the GI issues have mostly resolved, but the fatigue is crushing.
Niwot Resident, Mid 50s
I felt so tired. I had no energy and had a bit of trouble breathing. More than anything, I felt exhausted.
Longmont Resident, Mid 30s
Day-to-Day Life
Tuve que estar aislada de mis niños. Tuve que dejar de trabajar y pensar en que mis tres hijos se podrían enfermar. Me estresaba mucho, pero gracias a dios estamos bien.
Residente de Longmont, finales de los 30
The biggest change was predictably during my isolation period. I’m an avid runner and cyclist, so being confined to my bedroom for 10 days with no access to any form of exercise aside from youtube yoga videos made me start to get a little antsy. Even after getting out of isolation it made me pretty significantly slow down my exercise regimen.
Boulder Resident, Mid 20s
Some days I would feel good enough to shower and prepare myself something to eat. Others I was not able to get up and shower because I had no energy and I would run out of breath to even walk from my bed to the restroom. Chest tightening would not let me sleep because it was like a ton of bricks on my chest
Longmont Resident, Mid 30s
One of the most difficult parts was having to stay away from my family. I didn’t get to hug my spouse or child for a while, that was awful. I wore a mask, kept my distance, sanitized constantly and mostly stuck to the guest bedroom and home office. It was hard but manageable. Worst of all, my other family members got it too.
Superior Resident, Mid 40s
After 3 different stints in the hospital for a total of 21 days, I had pneumonia, a collapsed lung and had an abscess that did not get better with antibiotics so I ended up having to have surgery to remove a tennis ball size of my lung.
Longmont Resident, Early 40s
I was completely in bed for about a week. Then I had a fever for 8-9 weeks. Now I have a good day, then the next day I am very tired and can not do much at all.
Boulder Resident, Late 50s
Length of Illness
It lasted about 3 weeks. However, I still am experiencing some of the symptoms over four months later like fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath as well as circulation issues. I also still don’t have my smell entirely back.
Louisville Resident, Mid 20s
Never had a lot of symptoms but two months later my lungs still burn when my heart rate goes up.
Erie Resident, Late 50s
The worst feeling of being achy, headaches, and weak lasted about 3 weeks. No taste or smell lasted about 2 months, and the dry cough 3 months. Had diarrhea only the first to the second week
Longmont Resident, Mid 40s
The symptoms lasted for an entire two weeks and while barely noticeable towards the end, they lingered for a few days after. Even now, months later, I feel like my lung capacity has been permanently affected by the virus.
Boulder Resident, Mid 20s
My ability to resume a regular schedule of physical activity continues to be impacted even though I’ve been ‘symptom free’ for nearly four months. I don’t have the stamina that I used to have and I often feel I’m on a roller coaster of health – one day feeling 100%, the next day being laid out for two days after a normal bike ride.
Louisville Resident, Mid 60s
Advice to Others
I strongly recommend everyone strictly follow the public distancing guidelines and all local, state, and national safety instructions. This is not a political issue, it is a public safety issue the world is dealing with.
Louisville Resident, Mid 60s
A pesar de que tomé todas las precauciones, me contagié. Pero mi consejo es que sigan cuidándose y que tomen en cuenta todos los consejos y medidas correspondientes.
Residente de Longmont, finales de los 30
Understand that anyone can get sick, even the “young and healthy.” I’m young and was healthy, until I wasn’t. I don’t think that the entire world should stay on lockdown, but I want people to understand that the risk is still there.
Boulder Resident, Mid 20s
Don’t take it lightly. Doesn’t matter how fit you are or how old you are or who you are. I am 40 years old and had never been in the hospital for any reason. Do your part in protecting yourselves and others by doing simple things like wearing masks, keeping distance, washing hands, etc. The reality of it is that it’s not that hard and it will be more frustrating the longer this pandemic goes on if we continue to ignore it.
Longmont Resident, Mid 40s
Rest and stay hydrated. Drink more than you think you need to. Know that some days you may feel better, but that your symptoms may come back the next. Try to quarantine from those in your home. My family did NOT get sick from me, and I believe it is because I was able to stay in a separate part of the house.
Boulder Resident, Mid 40s
Words of Wisdom
It’s an awful experience and I don’t want to get it again. I am ready to donate plasma for any studies that can be done. I was positive for about 3 months in a row and got tested about 9 times being positive, negative, positive again and then negative
Longmont Resident, Mid 40s
I want to express how important it is to tell anyone who you might have been in contact with (even for a short amount of time) that you are positive. Honesty is key with this virus and it is crucial to prevent further spread to others.
Boulder Resident, Mid teens
It’s alright to cry and feel frustrated but know that you will feel better. Trust your body if you are feeling something not normal and look for help. There is sunshine at the end of the tunnel.
Longmont Resident, Mid 30s
