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COVID-19 and the devastating effects the disease had on him during a trying stay at Clark Fork Valley Hospital has compelled Dennis Haynes to come forward and tell his story.

"You do not want to get this, it is a really bad deal," Haynes said last week from his home. "People need to realize how dangerous this is, and to do everything they can possibly do to avoid getting it.

"Especially those with other issues to begin with," he added. "If your body is not strong enough to deal with it, this stuff could take you out if you are already dealing with something else."

After contacting COVID-19 and becoming ill with it in late November, he believes from a funeral he attended, Haynes was checked into an isolation room with a sterile environment at CFVH. There he spent five days in his own private cell of quarantine, where nurses in haz-mat suits would visit only occasionally, and the doctor once a day to make sure his basic needs were met.

In the meantime, Haynes suffered an illness like he has never suffered before. He had a temperatures of 104 degrees (complete with intense chills) for three full days and lost 10 pounds in only five, dealing with intense headaches and night sweats through the worst of his time at CFVH. "It nailed me bad," he said. "It's like you go into sort of a mental fog, I have never been that sick in my entire life."

Upon his recovery, Haynes credits the staff at CFVH, singling out Dr. Jessica Valentine, for their professionalism in dealing with the crisis here in Sanders County.

"My sincere compliments to Dr. Valentine, her associates and the nursing staff at the hospital are doing an incredible job with this situation," he said. "The care I received was outstanding, above and beyond I would say."

Haynes, a very private man who has absolutely no desire to be in the public spotlight, felt he had an obligation to speak up now, after spending those five long days at CFVH alone earlier this month. Released from quarantine December 6, Haynes, who is 72 and a long-time resident of the Thompson Falls area, is still dealing with the effects.

"This is not like the flu or a cold where you bounce right back," he said. "I am still having trouble doing simple things like walking very far right now. It doesn't seem like it is just going away."

Haynes said he is still suffering fatigue from his bout with COVID-19, indicating he will feel better one day but down again the next, hoping he will fully recover soon. The sad truth is, however, that some people have developed symptoms that linger, and those people have come to be referred to as "long-haulers," something Haynes does not want to be.

He says being there, laying in the hospital struggling to breath, has given him a new perspective on COVID-19, and hopes people heed his warning.

"If you get it your attitude will change," he said. "And I am not just saying that. This disease needs to be respected; people need to appreciate how dangerous it really is."

According to figures released early this week, more than 800 Montanans and over 300,000 Americans have died due to COVID-19. In Sanders County, three deaths have been attributed to the disease and there were 42 active cases, including six hospitalized at CFVH, as of Monday.

Governor Steve Bullock's directive including for the wearing of masks, social distancing and personal hygiene practices remains in effect.