And one man who knows that process of being admitted into the KHMH's COVID unit is 44-year-old Keith Yearwood. Yearwood was diagnosed with COVID on September 8th, and admitted the same day. While he said his initial symptoms were coughing and difficulty breathing, he also had diabetes to contend with, and that sent his health into a downward spiral. But even though he was put on oxygen and fell into a coma, Yearwood was discharged from the hospital after he made a full recovery. Now, he's the COVID vaccine's number one cheerleader, saying he believes the jabs played a huge part in saving his life. Courtney Menzies spoke with him today and has this story.
For many people, once they enter the KHMH's ICU after being diagnosed with COVID, they don't make it back out.
But for 44-year-old Keith Yearwood, he said it was nothing short of a miracle that he survived the virus - a miracle and, of course, being vaccinated surely helped
Since coming out of the hospital on September 16, it's as though he's been born again - preaching the word of God and of the vaccine.
But that's only after he endured eight terrifying days at KHMH, battling with COVID and diabetes.
Keith Yearwood Sr., COVID Survivor
"My experience is… it's unexplainable but I'll try my best. Being around so many people that is ill just like myself and seeing some of them getting wheeled to the morgue, losing their lives to this pandemic, the memory will never be erased from my head. It's a lifelong memory. I had to see that and gain that experience to take this pandemic more serious and encourage people to get vaccinated to put up a line of defense that if they do come in contact with this pandemic, they could survive like I did. So I'm living proof that yes the vaccine helps."
And he also sung the praises of the KHMH staff, whose round-the-clock care also aided in his survival - especially when he fell into a coma for two days.
Keith Yearwood Sr., COVID Survivor
"When I woke up, I had IV's in my hand and I caught back my breathing after that two days. The nurses and doctors, they kept on talking to me, giving me advice about my diabetes and I made a speedy recovery. 8 days in the hospital, compared to some people who lost their lives."
Courtney Menzies:
"Did you feel that real fear, that visceral fear, that you might die in here?"
Keith Yearwood Sr., COVID Survivor
"Yes I did. And I think it's only natural. We are not super human beings, we're all flesh and blood and fear overcomes us plenty of times. And I was one that told myself, God, you have this. I surrender myself to you."
"And I kept on telling myself that until I fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital."
And for those anti-vaxxers and doubters, and even those with understandable hesitancy, Yearwood said he believes he wouldn't still be alive if he hadn't gotten his jab.
Keith Yearwood Sr., COVID Survivor
"There's a lot of people doubting the potency of this vaccine, whether or not it actually works, yes it does work because I am of a strong belief that it saved my life. I took both vaccines before going into the hospital. My second vaccine was August 26th, just in time to help me."
"I'm encouraging everyone. Go take the vaccine. It will save your life."
