A Filipino in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates tested positive of COVID-19. However, he decided to keep it to himself as he feared that his 75-year-old mother will worry considering that she has hypertension.
According to Zack Allen, who works as a singer and visual merchandiser for 14 years in UAE. He thought that announcing his situation will only worry his mother Rosario Almoite.
“May fear karinnasiyempre may hypertension angnanayko, ‘pagnalamanniyanamaysakitako or ‘pagnalamanniyanana-hospital akotaposganoonanghitsurako. ‘Yung fear na ‘yunnaayawkopasabisananayko,” says Zack.
The OFW also admitted that he is a Mama’s boy.
“Ako ‘yung mama’s boy, mahal namahal ko ‘yung nanay ko kasi mula nu’ng bata ako sa nanay ako eh,” Zack added.
Zack revealed that he found out that he contracted the disease after participating at the COVID-19 mass testing conducted last April before establishments in UAE were opened.
“Doon pa lang sa gathering na ‘yun, nakakatakot kasi hindi lahat nasusunod ‘yung social distancing, tapos ang dami-daming tao na dumadaan sayo, tapos ‘yung sa bus din punuan. So andoon pa rin, andoon agad ‘yung fear na baka nandoon ‘yung virus. Hindi natin kasi alam kung sino ang meron at sino ang wala,” says Zack.
After April 26, Zack exhibited symptoms of COVID-19. He was not allowed to continue working at the retail shop that he was previously employed.
“Masakit na ‘yung katawan ko tapos inuubo tapos sa gabi nilalagnat ako. Ang inisip ko trangkaso,” says Zack. “Hanggang sa dumating sa point nanagchi-chill ako. Alam mo ‘yung tipong ‘yung binti tumatalon ng mag-isana ‘pag sa gabi balutin man ako ng tatlo, apat, lima na kumot hindi ako mabigyan ng init.”
Then he started to cough. It was a terrible and painful cough, Zack confessed. He decided to ask for help and his housemate took him to the hospital.
Meanwhile, his mother Rosario didn’t know anything about the situation of Zack.
“Siyempre nag-aalala ako tungkol sa kanila, sinasabi ko nawala silang pakialam at iyon lang, mgakapatid. Ngunit ang tanging payo ko lamang ay panatilihin ang mga ito sa Dubai,” says Rosario.
Zack didn’t lose hope that he will soon recover from the disease. May 25, Zack was declared COVID-19 free and was finally discharged from the hospital.
“Siyempre ‘yung worry ko dati na alam mo ‘yun, baka mamatay ako ta’s hindi namins inasabi, na ngayon at least okay akot saka ko siya nasabi. At least, hindi siya ganu’n na nag-worry,” says Zack.
He finally got the chance to talk to his mother about his experience during her 75th birthday.
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