Recovered Filipino doctor back helping patients
Uncertainties over the coronavirus remain, but there have been heartwarming anecdotes too, like the acts of courage and sacrifice of people helping deal with the unprecedented crisis at their life’s peril.
In the Philippines, 41-year-old anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III knew the risks but kept working in a hospital in a Manila coronavirus hotspot. He has to live apart from his family as an agonizing safeguard.
As he feared, he got infected. Although he didn’t show any of the dreadful symptoms, death was constantly on his mind and he struggled with isolation in an apartment. At one point while on quarantine, Sotelo recorded a farewell video for his daughter and wife.
“My greatest fear was not seeing nor being able to hold my daughter again,” he said.
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III tries to call his daughter while living alone at their house on May 9, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III checks his emails while eating lunch sent by his brother who just celebrated his birthday on May 9, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Vitamins and hypertensive medicine lay on the table of anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III as he lives alone at his home on May 9, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III reacts as he talks to his 2-year-old daughter via video call as he lives alone at the family’s house on May 11, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III eats lunch sent by his brother who just celebrated his birthday on May 9, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Unwashed dishes are seen on the sink inside the house of anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III as he lives alone on May 9, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
After learning that he was free of the virus on April 20, Sotelo waited for days, then met his daughter in a tearful reunion. He donated plasma to help save a COVID-19 patient as an act of thanksgiving.
After the life-threatening experience, Sotelo had no qualms about courting danger again amid a lack of Philippine health personnel fighting infections. He donned layers of protective suits and a face mask to go back to work helping patients.
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III wears a protective suit as he and others conduct targeted mass COVID-19 testing among residents at Sampaloc district on May 8, 2020, in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III donates plasma so his antibodies can be transferred to help a COVID-19 patient at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center on May 7, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III squeezes a ball as he donates plasma so his antibodies can be transferred to help a COVID-19 patient at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center on May 7, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III, second from right, talks to a fellow healthcare worker as they conduct targeted mass testing among residents on May 8, 2020, at Sampaloc district in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III places a surgical mask before wearing his helmet outside the Ospital ng Sampaloc as he prepares to go home on May 11, 2020, in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III rides his scooter past Ospital ng Sampaloc as he drives home after work on May 11, 2020, at Sampaloc district in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III plays a video game inside his bedroom as he takes a break from work and house chores on May 9, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III arranges his clothes while living alone at his home on May 9, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III goes out to check his laundry while living alone at San Juan on May 9, 2020, in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III walks down the stairs while living alone at his family’s home on May 9, 2020, at San Juan in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Protective suits, hospital wear and jeans are left to dry after being washed by anesthesiologist Manuel Sotelo III at his house on May 9, 2020, in Manila's San Juan, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Text from AP News story, AP PHOTOS: Recovered Filipino doctor back helping patients, by Aaron Favila.