“At first, akala ko normal na migraine lang at pagod. From work to hospital since nandun si Daddy. Pero iba nap ala iyong nararamdaman ko.” This is how Hannah Sanchez described her experience when she had the basic symptoms of COVID-19 virus.

Hannah is working as a Production Assistant in a well-known media and broadcasting company in the Philippines. In spite of the pandemic, her job requires them to work on-site in a skeletal mode. “Tingin ko, nakuha ko iyong virus sa pag commute. Mayroon naman shuttle na provided ng company pero pauwi sa mismong bahay namin, need ko parin mag commute” Hannah added.

She immediately asked the company if she could take an Anti-gen test. Turned out, she is positive so she proceeded in taking RTPCR Test or swab test. “I prepared myself sa result ng swab. Habang nag hihintay ako ng result, nag isolate na ako” she said. As expected, she was tested positive in acquiring COVID-19 virus. “Iniisip ko noon, no work no pay. At isa iyon sa stress habang quarantine kasi siempre need ko mag support sa family ko.” Hannah also stated that her colleagues’ discrimination towards her situation added a heavy log at her back while she is in quarantine season.

“Thankfully, nag provide ng doctor’s checkup at reseta iyong company naming. I took vitamins and fruits for 14 days.” As mentioned above, Hannah said that it wasn’t an easy journey even after her quarantine. She went back to work after her full recovery and found out that her marketplace is not a safe place for her mental health. “May instance na di nila ko mapainom ng tubig kasi ayaw nila ako mag tanggal ng facemask. Pero inisip ko nalang na ang mahalaga, gumaling na ako. At baka nag-iingat lang din sila.” Having this kind of experience, Hannah pushed through in taking a COVID-19 vaccine. She gets vaccinated via Taguig local government unit.

“I encourage everyone to take the vaccine. Tumingin sila sa news ngayon, ano ba laman ng ospital ngayon? Most of them are not vaccinated. Do not be a vaccine hesitant! Ingatan natin sarili natin at ang ibang tao sa paligid” Hannah said as she encourages other people to take the vaccine. She also mentioned that recently, her parents acquired the virus as well. “Medyo mas malala ang symptoms nila mommy at daddy kasi tingin namin, dahil din iyon sa hindi pa nila pagpapa-vaccine. Si lola nag positive rin pero wala siya symptoms. Bakit? Nag take siya ng vaccine” she added.

Hannah’s story is a living testimony of how COVID-19 vaccine is important in boosting our body. As she said, “Do not be a vaccine hesitant” and take a vaccine now!

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