David Hague,  current freelance sports photographer and graduate of Cal U, caught COVID-19 from his wife Malerie Hague, also a Cal U alum, in November. Malerie is a healthcare worker and contracted the virus from someone on the job.  David went and got tested first, the test came back positive.

David initially knew he had COVID-19 when he woke up in the middle of the night and could barely stand up. Despite sleeping in different bedrooms from his wife, Hague still contracted COVID-19. 

“I was literally pulling on my son’s dresser to help me stand up,”  said Hague, “The room felt like a Tilt-A-Whirl.”

After coming out of the room, Malerie took Hague’s temperature. They both knew something was wrong.  Nov. 10 was the first day Hague said he felt sick. Hague quarantined in a separate part of the house. In the beginning stages, Malerie had to care for all household duties until his symptoms subsided. Around day six of having COVID-19, Hague said he slowly started to get back to his regular tasks around the house while wearing a mask. 

“Day 12 I finally was maskless around the kids for the first time in 12 days, and I would still have to take a lot more breather when picking my kid up by the third time,” said Hague. 

After the twelfth day, Hague said he was back to doing his normal routines as before and walking around without a mask.

His symptoms consisted of shortness of breath, coughing and no appetite. For the first four days of his diagnosis he slept most of the time. Hauge was sick for about 10-12 days. 

Throughout this Malerie said she remained asymptomatic throughout her whole time having COVID-19. Malerie took care of their 3-year-old son, Andrew, and 1-year-old daughter , Samantha, with a mask around the children.

Luckily, neither of the children became infected with COVID-19. Although he feels better, Hauge said he is still dealing with the aftermath of his diagnosis with COVID1-. Now back to work he still finds himself becoming short of breath.

“I still have issues with my shortness of breath, sometimes I find myself sucking the wind from doing basic tasks,” said Hauge. 

In the United States, there is not yet an authorized or approved vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) according to the CDC. Hague said he would take the vaccine. Based on the evidence from researchers once one becomes diagnosed with COVID-19, one can not contract it again.

If this evidence was to remain then Hague said he would rather see the vaccine being given to others more in need. 

Hague’s mild case of COVID-19 shouldn’t be taken lightly. As of Dec.9, the total COVID-19 deaths for Pennsylvania is 11,753.  Worldwide 1.56 million people are dead due to the coronavirus.

Hague suggested staying away from others and wearing a mask especially if one has already been diagnosed with COVID-19. He said that COVID-19 taught him that masks do work and that you can never be too cautious even if sleeping in separate bedrooms. 

“Follow the recommendations and follow them to remain safe, ” said Hague.