“I was on call overnight in the ICU. When I came back home, I was exhausted so I went to my room to sleep. Around noon, I was really deep asleep and I heard my door​ like someone was going to break down the door…”

“I am proof positive that you can recover and that there is the possibility for a happy ending after COVID-19.”

“The virus has a mind of its own. It is important to talk to your body and take back the power. Whatever your spiritual beliefs it is important to have hope and take everything one day at a time.” - Photos by Josh Estey

Carl Goldman just wanted to surprise his wife with a cruise for her birthday. The real surprise came when he was one of 712 passengers who contracted COVID-19 aboard the Diamond Princess. - Photos by Josh Estey

“For me, it was a matter of me gathering everything that I believed, biblically, being a Christian and holding onto the fact that I believe this to be true.”

“The entire time, I was afraid for my two young girls. My husband was also sick, and I began to worry about who would take care of them if we were gone.”

“On March 18, an earthquake woke me up. The same day I tested positive for Covid-19.”

“I am a diabetic with asthma, but I have now survived cancer and COVID-19.”

“I had no pre-existing health conditions. But then it happened. A tickle in my throat, and a mild cough. I had no idea what I was in for.”

“We think it was the night we went out to celebrate his sister-in-law’s 40th birthday in early March. We went to a Mexican restaurant on Long Island that Friday night, and we shared lots of laughs and food. We took turns placing our straws into this mega margarita, passing it around the table. We didn’t think anything of it at the time, of course…” 

“I did everything I was supposed to. I was cleaning with Clorox 24/7 and washing hands and I did everything. I do not know how I got this. I have no clue. But when it hits, it hits and it hits hard.”

“There’s a lot of unknowns. If we’re putting our healthcare workers in dangerous situations, it's not protecting us and it's not protecting our patients either. With the virus so rampant, opening up the country too soon is going to cause a second wave.”

“There were so many times I thought it was time to go to the hospital, but the fear was paralyzing. The physical toll was massive, however, the anxiety and fear was crippling.”

“It started on Friday, March 13 — of course right?”

“I had sleepless nights where I was wondering what would happen to my family if something really did happen to me.  Finally, I woke up on March 25, 2020 with no sweats, no drip, no congestion, no fever, no headache and no chills. I felt about 98% back to normal. I felt like the 1,000 pound gorilla came off my chest.”