Even as America, and the world, begins reopening businesses, the threat of COVID-19 still exists. In fact, it’s stronger than ever. Cases have spiked all over the United States and there really is no end in sight — which is why it’s important to remember how serious the virus is and what it can do to your body.
In a statement made by Rudy Gobert to L’Equipe, he explains some of the symptoms he has dealt with, which includes feeling “off” and a loss of his ability to smell that may not recover for a year.
“The taste has returned, but the smell is still not 100%. I can smell the smells, but not from afar. I spoke to specialists, who told me that it could take up to a year.”
“I still feel weird things, but I have never been so long in my life without playing a basketball game! I don’t know if that’s the backlash of the virus. I’m starting to train hard, I’m still not playing five-on-five, but I’m training individually, boxing, swimming, running in the mountains. Today, I wouldn’t say I’m feeling more tired than before. But I had experiences, a month and a half ago, that scared me. I felt like ants in my toes and wondered what it could be. There were quite a few little things like that.”
Gobert was the first player to test positive with the virus and his diagnosis caused a ripple effect that forced the shut-down of the season. He still views himself as a sort of example for the community.
“The NBA was waiting for a first case to stop the championship, it fell on me! I became the image of the coronavirus for the Americans, the domino that triggered the end of the season, but it was not me who brought the virus to the United States.”
Needless to say, the Coronavirus has lingering effects on smell, taste, and even the lungs in some cases. It’s a very serious illness that has cost thousands of lives.
We should continue to heed warnings, take precautions, and do whatever we can to stop and slow its spread.
