SAN LUIS VALLEY -- “Having COVID was a horrible experience. I’m young, in my 30’s and completely healthy without any underlying conditions. When I contracted the disease in January before vaccines were readily available, I had no idea I would have so much trouble breathing,” said Derrick Tapusoa of Alamosa.

Tapusoa is originally from New Zealand, a country that had very little outbreak due to implementing precautions early on. “My parents back home have been fine and despite the precautions New Zealand is taking, they jumped at the chance to get vaccinated.”

Tapusoa wonders if he ends up getting another coronavirus, what toll it might take on him and his family, so he eagerly signed up for the vaccine as soon as he was eligible.

“It happened overnight. I just woke up one day feeling miserable. I tested positive for COVID, then after 2 weeks in bed, it hit me. My father-in-law drove me to the hospital and I was in the ICU at the Alamosa hospital for a week.”

Over those 3 weeks, Tapusoa lost 40 lbs. He was off work for months while he recovered. “I couldn’t have a conversation with my wife, I wasn’t able to laugh with my kids, I couldn’t sing along to the radio. It’s amazing how much oxygen we use to do the smallest of activities. My lungs still aren’t 100%”.

Tapusoa considers himself lucky to have survived COVID. He appreciates his health more than ever. Months later, he still isn’t completely off oxygen. He warns others don’t underestimate this illness. Get the vaccine, no matter what age, no matter how healthy, no matter if you’ve had COVID.

“It’s not a game. You don’t play with COVID. I look forward to the time when I won’t have to hook up to the oxygen machine at night.” Tapusoa knows what it’s like to not be able to take a deep breath, and he hopes it’s an experience everyone else can avoid.