Victoria Inyama: How I Battled Sleep Paralysis After Contracting Covid
Nigerian actress, Victoria Inyama, has narrated her ordeal in the hands of the deadly COVID-19 virus.
The actress, in a chat with Punch revealed that she battled with sleeping paralysis which resulted to her inability to move or speak as a result of very painful breathing and tightening of chest.
She further disclosed that although she has left hospital; she’s still battling with the effects of the virus which will continue for sometime.
She said, “I have learnt how to appreciate every second because life is so fragile. My experience of COVID-19 was sleep paralysis— that feeling of being conscious but unable to move or even speak due to very painful breathing and tightening of the chest. That is the moment when most people (who have the virus) die. It is a bit like choking on one’s air supply.
“I was still positive as of the time l left the hospital last week. My doctor says l am now dealing with ‘Long COVID’, which is the term used to describe the effects of COVID-19 that continues for weeks or months. I wish people would be serious with their health. It is important to wear a mask, avoid gatherings, wash hands regularly. And avoid hugging or standing closer than two feet.”
The actress further revealed that she contracted the virus while taking care of her children who already had the virus.
Victoria Inyama revealed, “One of my kids contracted it in school. And, while l was trying to care for each of them, l got it too. We all tested positive, so l guess they were mentally ready. Our government made the mistake of reopening schools which made this wave of the virus spread so fast from the children to their parents.
“No amount of precautions could have helped parents like me. I also feel the Nigerian government is not safeguarding the people. How on earth can a government that claims to be reasonable ‘force’ people to register their mobile phones? That is a process that involves people gathering in large numbers. Because of this, l don’t blame people who doubt the existence of the virus in Nigeria.”
BY OLUWATOBI OLUSOLA
