(Marion) — After a couple of days in the hospital, Victor Contreras, the mayor for the city of Marion, is back at home recovering from the COVID-19 virus. After allowing him to rest a few more days, the Seguin Daily News caught up with Contreras who wanted to share some personal insight into the reality of this very dangerous pandemic.
Contreras says a person never fully realizes the seriousness of COVID-19 until they are told it’s time to go to the hospital.
“Last week, I went in for a test on Tuesday and came back positive and I went ahead and had my wife tested at the same time and then they came up and said we can take an anti-viral medication — an infusion type and took it on Wednesday and we came home and then I started feeling really bad. They kept me that required hour.but I started feeling bad. My sugars went really low and some other things (were happening) so I went back to the hospital. I went to the emergency room and I spent two days in the hospital because of this. I had to have extra oxygen so once I got up to 95 percent without the oxygen and walked around, then they would let me go home which I’m glad I was able to do,” said Contreras. ” I just want to say that all these people that say that this is a hoax or a joke, this is real. COVID is real. It has real consequences that can happen.”
As an elected official and the mayor of a community, Contreras says all the issues related to COVID-19 over these last several months have made governing a bit challenging. He says if anything, he is more committed than ever in encouraging those safety practices and mandates deemed necessary toward bringing this pandemic to an end.
“I posted everything that I get from the city or CDC, or from the county or the state on our website and I’ll write on my newsletters on all this. I just want everybody to understand that if we are going to win this fight over COVID, we all have to wear our masks, use our hand sanitizers and social distance and this is not a joke. This is for real. I’m living through it and I think there are people who say ‘oh, the government just wants me to do it.’ No, I think the government wants you to do it for safety and not just for yourself but for the people around you,” said Contreras.
In sharing his experience, Contreras says he also can’t say enough about the top notch medical attention that was delivered to his bedside during his stay at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center in Seguin.
He says the community is fortunate to have such an excellent healthcare facility.
“They are wonderful people. They are wonderful human beings and the nurses and doctors are always professional on what they do and they tell you right up front what they are going to do, this is what we expect,” said Contreras.
Again, Contreras says his body’s response to the virus was not what he had expected but again is just grateful to be back on the road to recovery.
“I’m glad I’m here. I’m hoping I don’t have a relapse or anything like that. But, I”m glad I’m here and I’m hopeful to get back to my office. You know, I like to work,” said Contreras.
Contreras says unable to see family especially his wife MaryJo was perhaps the most difficult thing. He says while he was in the hospital, MaryJo was at home struggling with the illness on her own. Luckily, he says both are on the mend and home to be cleared following another COVID-19 test next week.