TULSA, Okla. — Over the past 18 years of marriage, Amy and Jon Scoggins relied on each other to push through any obstacles, including during the pandemic.
Both got infected with COVID-19 after their daughter tested positive. Their daughter is doing fine now.
"I think I was one of those people that was admittedly on the side of this was overhyped," Jon Scoggins said.
He started developing symptoms first, a fever, chills and loss of his sense of smell and taste. He said he pulled up to a drive-thru parking lot testing site and a few days later, the results came back positive.
Then, Amy also began feeling ill.
"Because I was his primary caregiver, it didn’t take long before I started having symptoms," Amy said. "So I went and retested and then lo and behold, I wound up testing positive.”
They self-quarantined at home and Jon started developing breathing complications. After a call to the doctor, they decided to go to St. Francis Hospital to get checked out.
"There’s nothing worse than saying goodbye to a loved one and dropping them at the emergency room," explained Amy.
Turned out, Jon developed pneumonia and had to be hospitalized. During that time, he couldn't have any visitors due to COVID-19 restrictions to limit the spread.
"He was there alone. I felt helpless because I couldn’t be there with him," Amy said.
Jon said there was a 48-hour period when he had a lot of trouble breathing, keeping his eyes open and was afraid he would wake up with a tube in his throat. Fortunately, he started to feel better but lost a lot of weight.
"I came out a week later, 25 pounds later, and thankful to be home," Jon said.
Being hospitalized was eye-opening for him to see what healthcare professionals are going through in a daily basis during the pandemic. He and his wife said they're taking the pandemic more seriously than before they had this experience.
While Amy tested negative, she doesn't leave without her safety mask. Jon remains at home, awaiting for his results after being retested for COVID-19 over the weekend. He, too, plans to be wearing a mask in public.
"I look forward to getting out, but I can tell you, I will be wearing a mask. I didn’t wear one before," Jon said.
Mayor GT Bynum is drafting an ordinance to be presented at the city council agenda on Wednesday to mandate all Tulsans wear masks in public places.
READ MORE: Tulsa's proposed mask ordinance comes with exceptions, possible $100 fine
According to health professionals, wearing one can slow down community spread of COVID-19.
"The best data and the best science that we have right now indicates a mask, a universal mask is the best way to prevent community spread," said Jason Hall, the director of respiratory therapy at Ascension St. John.
For the Scoggins, it's about being respectful to others when going out in public. They said their view changed and surviving the coronavirus is a humbling journey, but one they don't want to repeat.
"We just don’t know if you can get it again, so I’m going to assume I can and transmit it again, so wash my hands and wear a mask," Jon said.
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