"If I had been infected in the 4th wave now, I might have really lost my life."



Shinichiro Maekawa (51), an officer of a construction company in Kakogawa City, Hyogo Prefecture, was infected with the new coronavirus last November. It became severe and was treated in the ICU = intensive care unit.



He testified with his real name that he would like to use his experience and reflection as a "teacher" to help prevent infections and help medical professionals.

"It's okay only for ourselves"

Mr. Maekawa was infected in early November last year, and the trigger was a dinner after a golf competition.



At that time, before the third wave of the year-end and New Year holidays, the government's "Go To Campaign" continued.



Mr. Maekawa


"I couldn't overcome the desire to meet with everyone. I thought it was okay for us. I also wanted to use the usual shop."



November 8th.



Mr. Maekawa had a dinner with 17 people and enjoyed the hot pot for 3 hours.



No one was careful to eat quietly, and the party was lively.

Half of the dinner participants are infected clusters

The following day, November 9th.



Participants at the table behind Mr. Maekawa became ill.



After that, participants continued to develop the disease, and 8 out of 17 people became infected clusters.



Mr. Maekawa also had a high fever of 39 degrees on the 12th, and on the 13th he was taken to the prefectural Kakogawa Medical Center, which can handle severely ill people, and was hospitalized.



Mr. Maekawa


"At this time, people who were confirmed to be infected in Hyogo Prefecture were supposed to be hospitalized or stayed at the hospital immediately, so I was able to receive treatment at the hospital immediately. I could not find a hospital. I was fortunate compared to now that I have a waiter. ”I



was working hard at the age of 51, but my symptoms rapidly worsened after I was hospitalized.

Awareness of "death" that I had never imagined

Mr. Maekawa


"It really feels like I'm drowning on land. I can't breathe because water is steadily accumulating in my lungs."



Mr. Maekawa said that the high fever of nearly 40 degrees did not go down, and on the 20th, one week after hospitalization, ICU = I entered the intensive care unit.

"



Let's

die,"

Maekawa-san sent to his wife on LINE at that time.



I took it that being taken to ICU meant that I had a chance of dying.



I was shocked by myself, being aware of "death" that I had never imagined.



"Mr. Maekawa, it's okay." It



was the words of encouragement from doctors and nurses that supported Mr. Maekawa.

After that, he suffered from severe chills and was unable to turn over by himself, and was discharged from the hospital on December 4, 21 days later.



I lost 9 kilos before I was hospitalized.



I suffered from the aftereffects of deep lung pain after discharge for a month.

If you are infected now that medical care is tight ...

"If I had been infected in the 4th wave now, I might have really lost my life."



There is a reason for Mr. Maekawa to look back on that.



Maekawa suffered from a terrible suffocation when he was infected.



The value "oxygen saturation", which indicates the state of oxygen in the blood, was in the 80% range even with an oxygen mask, which was much lower than the normal value of 96% or more.



Now, I learned from the news that some local governments, whose medical system is tight due to the 4th wave, can only be hospitalized in the 70% range as a result.



Mr. Maekawa


"It's strange that the 70% level is alive. I'm horrified to think that it's happening now."

Thank you to medical staff I want to tell with my real name

During hospitalization, there was a memorable event for Mr. Maekawa.



In the midst of a painful fight against illness, I celebrated my birthday alone on the bed.



When I was sad, the nurse suddenly came in saying "Happy birthday to Mr. Maekawa" and sang a birthday song.



A surprise present of a birthday cake and a message card for lunch.



I was really happy and impressed.



From time to time, I heard painful feelings from such nurses.



"People The most want is. Too manpower is not enough."



"We are working in the infectious diseases ward does not meet even the lover or friend"



hard to save his life, continue to fight invisible even after the end Mr. Maekawa has a strong desire to help medical professionals.



I started to testify with my real name so that I could share my experience and reflection as a "teacher" and use it to prevent infection.



"Don't go drinking at the time of Corona. What kind of company is it?"



"

Don't

scatter Corona

.

" The



company received several criticisms by phone and email, but the criticism was more than I imagined. There weren't many.



After returning to work, as a countermeasure against infection, we continue to devise ways such as serving tea in a paper carton when meeting with customers at the reception and having them drink it with a straw through the gap in the mask.



Mr. Maekawa


"There were nights when I couldn't sleep because of the pain and fear that I could stop breathing during the treatment at ICU. I regret having dinner at that time. I'm definitely not okay. It's a very annoying illness, so I hope you'll be careful about your surroundings. "




(Interview: Kobe Broadcasting Station reporter Naoki Hatsuda)