NFL Network producer on COVID-19 battle, why number of reported cases is unreliable
Jason Hartelius isn’t a name NFL fans know, but they know his work.
He’s a senior producer for the NFL Network, and is one of the many people who works behind the scenes on various programs.
On Thursday, Hartelius shared a Twitter message for his family and friends to provide an update on his hospital stay, which he said was because of COVID-19.
Hartelius revealed what he’s gone through since falling ill last week and his trouble with getting the results of his COVID-19 test, a common problem among people who have contracted the disease or are worried that might have the coronavirus.
“So I’ve been in the hospital for the past three days with coronavirus, and also pneumonia, which we’re seeing a lot of in coronavirus patients,” Hartelius said in the video. “The good news is I get to go home today. My breathing problems have dramatically slowed down, almost all the way gone away, my fever has gone away, so I’m doing better. I get to go home. That’s the good news. I first started feeling sick last Wednesday with a high fever, the rest of the symptoms kicked in on Friday, trouble breathing, coughing.
“I got tested Friday, I still don’t have the results. So whatever numbers you’re seeing are nowhere close to accurate. I was told I would have the results Tuesday or Wednesday. It’s now end of the day Thursday, still don’t have them so it’s been seven full days. So I’m not even part of the statistics yet. So yeah, the numbers you’re seeing — not accurate.”
Hartelius, 42, said he was in a Pennsylvania hospital receiving oxygen and medication. While he’s leaving the hospital, Hartelius said it will be a month or two until he’s feeling 100% healthy.
At the end of the message, Hartelius said there is way to help hospital workers.
“Again, don’t pay attention to those numbers — or pay attention to them and know that they’re much worse than what you’re actually seeing,” Hartelius said. “And also please wash your hands, social distancing, stay home if you don’t have to go anywhere, it makes a difference. Not only keeps you healthy, but it’ll keep people working in places like this healthy, and they’re swamped right now, so they need all the help from us they can get.“
Here is his message:
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 12:33 PM.
