Kapuso broadcast journalist Howie Severino survives COVID-19 as Patient 2828
Howie Severino lives to tell the tale that he has been afflicted by the new coronavirus disease and is on his way to full recovery as COVID-19 patient 2828.
“After 11 days in the hospital, a bout of pneumonia and a major scare, I think I can now be called a COVID-19 survivor,” the Kapuso broadcast journalist begins.
Howie recollects more details of his own experience in battling the deadly virus in the hopes of helping the public understand the disease and fight the stigma.
In a feature article published on GMA News Online, he enumerates key messages from his experience as a COVID-19 patient. Among these include being transparent about one's true health condition, keeping social connections despite the distancing, the importance of mental fortitude, that getting the disease is not a “death sentence,” and that the frontliners are indeed our modern-day heroes.
Howie holds big gratitude for the people who provided him medical attention, and to pay his thanks forward, he is willing to help in the research to fight the disease.
He claims, “If it's true that I will have antibodies in my blood that can help others fight off infection, I'll be glad to donate this accidental gift. It's a small price for all survivors to pay for the chance to see the sun again."
Howie will release his special documentary on his personal experience via i-Witness on Saturday, April 18. The documentary that highlights his time at the hospital was made with the help of his nurse who was also interested in doing documentaries.
The Kapuso broadcast journalist has also earlier reflected on the bigger catastrophe between the Taal volcanic eruption and the COVID-19 outbreak that hit the Philippines early in 2020.