Pinoy COVID-19 survivor in England becomes vaccination advocate

A Pinoy nurse working in the UK who is a COVID-19 survivor has turned into an advocate for vaccinations.

In Athena Imperial’s “24 Oras” report, Sunday, Jaypee Palis said one of the hardest things he encountered as a nurse amid the pandemic was caring for patients.

“There was fear. We’re fighting the impossible. In our work, I was able to handle one of the first suspected cases,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He tested positive for the virus in March 2020. Among his symptoms were headaches, a cough, and shortness of breath.

According to Palis, his condition even reached the critical stage and was told by a fellow nurse that he needed to be sedated and intubated.

“The nurse told me ‘If you’re not gonna get better after this intervention, we already prepared the critical care bed,’” he recalled.

Apart from worrying about himself, it also made him worry more about his family in the Philippines because his father had just died.

“I told them that they should not let me see them crying because what will kill me is homesickness, not the COVID-19,” he said.

“I felt alone, I felt like no one was helping me but I was so lucky because there’s a Filipino community here,” he added.

He was allowed to go home after five days in the hospital.

Now a COVID-19 vaccinator and lead coordinator in a vaccine hub, Jaypee said he’d like everyone to get their shots.

“I got the courage to say that I’m also a COVID-19 warrior. I fought for my life and now, I am here trusting that science will do something,” he said.

“Whatever kind of vaccine it is, if it’s offered to you, as long as it’s safe, accept it.”

Jaypee has been working at a hospital in England for four years. — Franchesca Viernes/DVM, GMA News