Upstate man calls vaccine 'no-brainer' after being hospitalized with COVID-19
Once skeptical of the vaccine, he says he plans to get it to stay out of the hospital and lessen the strain on health care workers
Once skeptical of the vaccine, he says he plans to get it to stay out of the hospital and lessen the strain on health care workers
Once skeptical of the vaccine, he says he plans to get it to stay out of the hospital and lessen the strain on health care workers
A Greenville man has a message for others after spending 12 days in the hospital with COVID-19.
He says he got a firsthand look at the strain COVID-19 is taking on hospitals and health care workers.
“I just know for a fact, keeping yourself out of the hospital is the best option right now,” Nick Conte said.
Conte says he tested positive for COVID-19 after a beach trip and initially felt fine. He says he started feeling worse though, to the point where he couldn't get up for days.
He says he called his doctor and got his oxygen levels tested. He says his oxygen level was extremely low and he was admitted into Prisma Greenville Memorial Hospital.
“You’re in there," Conte said. "You’re worried about getting better, yourself, but at the same time, you don’t want to be a burden on these people who have so much else to do with people who are worse off than you.”
While he was in the hospital, Conte says health care workers were trying to take care of so many patients, many of whom he says were in worse condition.
“The nurses are so overwhelmed and it’s like, I feel so guilty," he said. "They’ve got to come deal with me complaining about food or just checking on me while I’m okay breathing, and they’ve got people in other rooms who can’t breathe.”
Conte says he was put on oxygen and had a fever and trouble breathing, but he actually felt guilty for taking up a bed.
“Because I was aware that I was doing better than most people on the floor there, you feel selfish wanting to get the care that you need to get out of there,” he said.
Conte says he saw the dire strain on health care workers, firsthand.
“A free two shots keep you out of the hospital," he said. "Either getting stuck there, or being part of what’s overwhelming these people, it’s kind of become a no-brainer to me.”
Once skeptical of the vaccine, Conte says he plans to get vaccinated as soon as he's cleared to do so, calling it a no-brainer.
“I feel like it’s something I have to do," he said. "Whatever happens down the road from the vaccine, I don’t want to end up in the hospital again.”
Conte says his experience has also encouraged some of his friends and family to get vaccinated.
He got home from the hospital Tuesday and is still receiving home care, but is recovering.