Like those lockdown communities, we all know about the COVID 19 disease, but what about the social sickness, the stigma?
Tonight a BDF Doctor is speaking out about that stigma.
As we told you last night Dr. Rahleel Jammal Elijio remains in quarantine after becoming one of the six BDF soldiers to receive a positive test.
Yesterday in a Facebook post announcing his status the doc wrote, quote: "The stigma and discrimination that comes with Corona does not aid in the healing process of anyone infected. Anxiety, stress or depression could affect anyone who is discriminated against with COVID-19. I have received countless calls of concerns and emotional support which I am grateful for. On the other hand the rumors and gossiping only enlighten us to know how ignorant our people are to the ill."
And his afternoon he spoke to me via phone and told me that his post was designed to dispel the rumors that had already started at Price Barracks.
Voice of: Dr. Rahleel Jamaal Elijio, Medical Officer
"I decided to share that post yesterday, because there were concerns on Price Barracks by some of the soldiers who I work closely with and they know that I was in quarantine and they just wanted to know what was my current state. Some of them say that they heard that I am tested positive. So I just thought that the best thing for me to do as a medical doctor is to say hey this is my current status as a patient infected with Covid-19 and I know what the discrimination and stigma people have been facing recently and I just wanted to give my input on that. I have gotten a couple of messages from people that I work with, especially one message that stated how long will you all be with this illness and not telling us or are you waiting that the entire Force gets the virus. I was offended by that message, but it's just the ignorance of the people. I would say from the moment when I suspected or I knew that I could be a possible case I started my self-quarantine and the beauty about that is I live alone, so I don't have anyone within my direct contact."
"In terms of patients who I have seen within the past week prior to my quarantine, for some of them I have reached out to and I told them well if you are really concern we could get you swabbed, but a casual contact would be an individual that we would have contact with for more than 16 minutes. We do have individuals who we would be doing some type of therapy or if we actually getting treatment done via IV fluids or if we are having the patient on a nebulizer I would say, that patient would be in the treatment room."
"My experience with Covid I am glad to say is very mild. I have not had any alarming symptoms. About 8 days ago I had very mild nasal congestion and it lasted me for about 2-3 days and I would realize after just inhaling with the vicks and warm water it would just go away. It lasted for about 15 minutes every day and I did had a mild fever last week Saturday and that what about it for me. I havent been having any other more severe symptoms that other people would be referring. To me its lesser than a cold for me. In terms of contracting the virus, I mean we all work together. Price Barracks is a very small nitted organization. We are always having forums, conferences and meetings. And even though you may be using your mask there, your proper PPEs and sanitizing methods, there is still that possibility."
Reporter
"Do you believe you would have contracted it from the Force's index case?"
Voice of: Dr. Rahleel Jamaal Elijio, Medical Officer
"I do interact with a lot of people and I'm very social. I do have meetings inside Price Barracks. I meet with my patients and not only soldiers, but at times we do see civilian patients and I would also see patients outside of duty, so It's pretty hard to say."
Elijio says that his symptoms have been extremely mild; he describes it as less than a cold with just mild nasal congestion, and mild fever.
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