Bloomberg Businessweek - USA (2020-11-16)

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BloombergBusinessweek November16, 2020

PHOTOGRAPH

BY

CLAUDIA

GORI

FOR

BLOOMBERG

BUSINESSWEEK

StefaniaGiardoni

50

ROME

GiardonitestedpositiveinearlyMarchandwasadmittedtothehospital,wherehertreatment

includeddosesofhydroxychloroquine,a drugthat’sdemonstratedtohavelittletherapeutic

valueforCovid-19patientsandcomeswithserioussideeffects.SincebeingdischargedinMay,

she’sstruggledtofindregularworkandbeenshunnedbyherneighbors.

From the time I left the hospital until a few weeks ago, my hair was falling

out in clumps. I still have chest pains and hypertension. I think it’s because of the

hydroxychloroquine I was given at the hospital, because I never suffered from it

before. I have memory lapses, asif I had early signs ofAlzheimer’s. Some weeks

ago I was talking to my current partner like he was the father of my two sons. You

start to be scared of that. You ask yourself, “How is that possible?” My sense of

smell is distorted even after four months. It’s hard for me to smell even bleach—it’s

like water for me. I struggleto smellgarlicoronion. Coca-Cola tasteslike petroleum.

I can’t recognize flavors—most foods have the same sweet taste. That’s a pity, really,

becauseI wassucha goodcook. Soon after I was discharged from the hospital, my

neighbors accused me and my family of being irresponsible and of spreading the virus.

Our car was damaged, and my adult sons were threatened by someone holding a car

jack. I filed a complaint with the police but then withdrew it. I didn’t want to start a

useless war with them. Even today in my building, neighbors are afraid to meet me in

the elevator. They lock the door when I pass by. I can’t understand all this hate. It’s a

shame, because we had a good relationship before. �As told to Alberto Brambilla

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