One of the enduring truths about the coronavirus that has impacted every aspect of life in 2020 is that it is largely unpredictable in how it affects those who contract it.
This week, the golf world was given a reminder of that via golf legend Greg Norman, who has battled the virus through multiple hospital visits, as detailed in his Instagram posts over the holiday weekend. The Shark posted for the fourth consecutive day Sunday afternoon, this time with a 370-word statement of all he has learned and been through recently. It begins with thank yous to the nursing staff and doctors, but continues with:
“please take this very very serious. If you get it, the variations and intensity of symptoms varies from person to person. I am fit and strong and have a high tolerance for pain but this virus kicked the crap out of me like nothing I have ever experienced before. Muscle and joint pain on another level. Headaches that feel like a chisel going through your head scrapping little bits off each time, fever, muscles that just did not want to work like yesterday walking my dog Apollo my quads and hip flexors just did not want to work due to fatigue. Then my taste failed where beer tastes bad and wine the same. And finally at times struggling with memory of names and things. Then there is irritation. So please take care.”
Norman’s battle with the virus was first made public on Christmas Eve when he posted a video explaining he was experiencing symptoms despite testing negative. One day later, he was in the emergency room on Christmas Day. After being released, Norman was back in the hospital Sunday for an antibody infusion.
At 65 years old, Norman is certainly in the camp of people most at-risk of the worst symptoms and results of contracting the coronavirus, and it sounds like he will continue to work through those symptoms in the coming days and weeks. But for now, he’s doing his best to educate the masses as another example of the unpredictability of Covid-19.
“I am luckier than most and for that I am thankful and blessed,” his statement continued. “Also the world is blessed science has acted and performed like never before in getting a vaccine/s for all to eventually receive. Thank you to those people. We need to [get] our world back in healthy harmony so we can get healthy economically and prosperously with millions and millions people getting their lives back. God bless those infected and who may fall unwittingly to this virus. My prayers and thoughts go out to you all. Once out of here today back to quarantine.”
Tucked within the statement was one more message: “And for those doubters out there, do not judge or cast unwarranted comments and opinions I would not [want] anyone, even you, to experience this hideous virus.” Well put, Shark.
