Letter to the Editor: Covid medication

Dear Editor:

I was vaccinated with the two shots and the first booster of the Moderna vaccine and yet I got infected with a new variant of the virus. My symptoms were severe sore throat, cough and wet nose.

I had been very careful avoiding large crowds and indoor meetings. None of my friends or family members have been infected with the virus. I have no idea how I got infected with the virus.

I am of advanced age, a diabetic, with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low thyroid, low prostate and sleep apnea and considered of high risk when infected with the Covid 19 virus.

Because of my high risk status, my medical team at the VA Hospital in Long Beach offered me optional treatment with Molnupiravir, a non-approved experimental drug which can be prescribed under emergency use authorization from the FDA. This medicine has proven to be very effective in treating Covid infections but its long range effects are unknown.

Given my age, I don’t have to worry about long term effects; the present is definitely more important to me so I took the option of being treated with this medicine.

I am happy to report that this medicine works. I got rid of symptoms in two days and I am now 24 days symptoms free. I am not contagious any more, yesterday I tested negative for Covid virus and can go about my business without any fear of infecting others or of kicking the bucket.

I self quarantined for five days. The biggest thing that I got from this experience is that solitary confinement is a very cruel form of punishment and should be avoided. I almost went crazy. Imagine being in solitary confinement for a month or longer. You definitely will go crazy.

Thank god we are an advanced country with high technology to treat any disease. If it wasn’t for this, I wouldn’t be telling you this story.

Jorge Montero
Downey