Barry Kittay from Highlands Ranch was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 23 and spent 11 days on a ventilator.
Kittay was discharged from UC Health Highlands Ranch Hospital on April 10. He is now recovering at home and sharing his experience.
“I don’t wish this upon my worst enemy,” Barry Kittay told Rocky Mountain PBS during an interview.
Barry Kittay of Highlands Ranch is home recovering from COVID-19.
Barry began experiencing aches March 13, but a doctor told him his symptoms did not suggest COVID-19 and he was not tested. His symptoms worsened over the following week, and a COVID test came back positive after he was admitted to the hospital.
Brian Willie of Rocky Mountain PBS posted a video report March 30 about the plight of 60-year-old retiree Barry Kittay. His wife, Doe, took him to the hospital on March 21, where he tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. She has not been allowed to visit with him ever since because of hospital safety precautions during the pandemic.
Many RMPBS viewers shared his story.
Kittay returned home looking different. He lost 55 pounds and his trademark beard that was started at age 21. “Tough diet,” Barry says.
He also has a different perspective on COVID-19.
He says he had the flu numerous times throughout his life but never felt like the flu was going to kill him.
Kittay shared his own advice to everyone, “wash your hands, stay away from your friends, don’t go out in public, you don’t need to do any of those things. If you can stay home and stay clean and ride this out until we have at least the start of a vaccination, do it.”
Related stories:
March 30: A COVID-19 journey through uncertainty and fear, and a wife’s plea
April 3: Update: Progress in man’s 2-week COVID-19 hospital fight
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