Lisa Clark has been a stickler for being safe when it comes to the coronavirus. Ever since the outbreak of the pandemic, she has worn her mask wherever she’s gone. She is sure to always social distance from anyone she’s around and she’s quick to wash her hands several times a day. She has been very careful.
But all the safeguards weren’t enough for the Columbia native and long-time local disc jockey. Clark has been infected and tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday, Dec. 3.
“I have been adamant about wearing masks and social distancing,” Clark said. “When I found out I got covid, I kept thinking, ‘Did I let my guard down; did I not wear my mask?’ I have no idea where I got the virus. I do believe I got it through my eyes because that’s where it started bothering me the most.”
Clark said they didn’t have a big gathering at Thanksgiving.
“The only people I have been around have been my dad and my husband (Donnie Clark). We’ve spent time with our own immediate family. I just have just no idea.”
Clark said she began feeling sick on Monday, Nov. 30 with a sore throat and sniffles. That progressed and she decided to get tested on Wednesday and found out she was positive. She said she wasn’t really surprised, but at the same time she was shocked when she got the diagnosis.
“I was numb for a second when I heard I was positive,” said Clark. “I kept thinking, ‘I don’t know what I am going to do. I don’t want to give it to anyone.’”
Clark said she has Raynaud’s Syndrome, which could have put her at high-risk to get the virus. Raynaud’s is a rare disorder of the blood vessels, usually found in the fingers and toes. It causes the blood vessels to narrow when a person is cold or feeling stressed.
Currently, Clark said she is feeling pretty good. She’s is tired, her muscles ache and her throat is still sore. However, she is resting well and documenting her experience with the virus on her Facebook account. She said she hopes sharing her symptoms online will help others know what to look for and what to expect.
“When you get covid you are shut off,” Clark said. “You don’t get out of your house. My husband has to have a place to stay, so I stay in my bedroom away from him. We communicate through the phone and I call him to tell him when I need to come out.”
Clark said she believes the United States could have done a better job preparing for the virus. It is not anyone’s fault, she said, but Clark is worried people don’t understand the seriousness of the virus.
“The scary part is you don’t know how the virus is going to affect you. You could be fine, but it could kill your neighbor,” Clark said. “It is a free country and you don’t have to wear masks if you don’t want to. But when what you do affects other people, you have to think about that. Your action could potentially kill somebody. I am not sure what all the fussing is about with wearing these masks; everyone has made it so political. If it can save somebody’s life, put on a mask.”
Clark said she knows the virus can be deadly, but she’s not going to let it worry her.
“I am a Christian and I know where I am going to go (if I die),” Clark said. “I want to stay here as long as I can and I would be the first one to take the vaccine. But, I just don’t have a lot of time to worry about it. I am a fighter.”
By Scott Wilson
Assistant Editor
scott@adairvoice.com
