Very ill for several days. I could have seen a doctor, but insurance fraudsters say no, have to visit a public hospital. What am I paying insurance for?
A trip on the Metro. I exit where it says hospital Then where? No signage for a hospital.
I ask and a lady directs me where I have come from.
No signage, not even for an entrance.
I ask a security guard. He says wrong hospital. Directs me to another hospital.
I am now exhausted.
Again no signage. No entrance sign.
I ask a security guard. He speaks to a doctor, who tells me sit outside on a row of seats.
The other people vanish. Leaving only me. I see people waking in and out. A queue outside the hospital door.
After half an hour I ask the security guard what is going on. Not helpful. He ordered me in Greek to sit down.
An hour passes by.
I observe a badly organised system. Security guards on the gate smoking. A small courtyard. Delivery vans, cars, blocking access for ambulances. One ambulance has police escort. Every second counts, and yet access for ambulances blocked.
I am sat by the gate. I ask a man. He tells me I should have a number and then I will be called.
I walk to the entrance, careful to avoid the security guard on the gate.
I chat to a young woman, who tells me they will call my name. How can they call my name when no one knows my name?
She asks to go inside as she is in pain standing. On my behalf she asks may I go inside as I have chest infection and not doing me any good stood outside.
Young security guard says I will be called next.
I am called into to see a doctor. Asked basic questions, blood oxygen levels checked, blood pressure. Then given a covid test. I am positive.
I am detained, isolated.
Two and a half hours have passed since my arrival.
The strange thing is, the symptoms of bronchitis but tests do not indicate bronchitis.
My oxygen level and blood pressure taken. Later blood taken for tests. Do I remain lying on the bed? I am not told.
Periodically someone looks in. Do not speak. Are they checking to see if I have run away? I wonder if I am locked in? I check. No, door not locked.
A man in full PPE takes x-ray. Most slapdash x-ray I have encountered. Plate is put under me on the bed. No warning to remain still.
I ask, and he tells me ten minutes for result. Does not know when blood results.
Hours pass.
Doctor calls me to pick up my things and follow him. He hands me the x-ray. Does not tell me what it shows. He does though explain blood tests. He is prescribing antibiotics and a powder to be mixed with water to open up my lungs.
He tells me to take my prescription across the road to the pharmacy. Explain that I do not have a Greek national insurance number.
Pharmacist asks for Greek national insurance number. I explain I do not have. He does not have the powder. Says I am unlikely to obtain anywhere. He offers an alternative. I say ok.
I am shocked the number of people walking into the pharmacy not wearing masks, especially as the are likely to be from the hospital.
Before I enter isolation for five days. I go for a walk. I have not eaten since breakfast and feeling sick. I take a coffee and something to eat. I stay outside to not infect anyone
On my return a minor detour to an Italian restaurant where a friend and I had eaten a few days ago. I remain outside. Explain I have coronavirus. They thank me for letting them know. If I want anything to eat, please let them know and they will deliver to me.
Now five days of isolation.
Strange. I do not have symptoms of coronavirus, I have symptoms of bronchitis. My Russian friend has the same symptoms.
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