HEALTH

Utah man with Coronavirus begs government for help and information

Feb 20, 2020, 6:45 PM | Updated: Mar 12, 2020, 9:21 am

utah coronavirus...

(John Haering and his wife, Melanie, posing for a picture in Hong Kong. Credit: Haering family)

(John Haering and his wife, Melanie, posing for a picture in Hong Kong. Credit: Haering family)

CHIBA, JAPAN – A Tooele, Utah man infected with the Coronavirus is pleading with the U.S. government to give him more information.  He believes he is being kept in the dark about when he may ever come home.

Physically, John Haering feels fine.  He says he doesn’t feel his symptoms anymore, and he even joked about wanting to go for a run.  However, he has had very limited human interaction since he was admitted to a Japanese hospital.  He has access to the internet, but the only face-to-face contact he gets happens when someone comes into his room to clean it.  Once, he was given a chance to roam into one of the halls, but all of the other doors were locked with keypads preventing him from leaving.

He tells KSL’s Live Mic with Lee Lonsberry, “I’m basically, I don’t want to say a ‘prisoner’ but, I am.  I’m not free.  My freedom to leave has been taken away.”

Haering doesn’t want to expose anyone else to the virus, but, he hasn’t been told what needs to happen before he can be discharged.  He has been growing more and more frustrated with the U.S. Embassy.  The tipping point came when Haering heard other patients got information from the embassy that he never received.

“I thought, if something happened to me, or if someone needed to be contacted, as far as I know the U.S. Embassy is not there to help me in my situation,” says Haering.

That sparked Haering to write a letter that has harsh words for the embassy and the Carnival Corporation.  He says he only received one call from the embassy and none from the cruise line, whatsoever.  He asks several things in his letter, like, “Is their any other plans on removing the remaining Americans to the United States that are in hospitals who have tested positive? If what is the timeline? Why have I not heard from Carnival corporation ever since leaving the ship?”

Congressman Chris Stewart has had limited contact with Haering’s family, but he agrees the embassy should be doing a lot more than they currently are.

Stewart says, “Is the embassy being responsive to the family?  We don’t think they are and they’ve got to do better.  The embassy can’t change the situation, but the embassy can communicate better with them.”

Stewart’s office has assigned a case worker to see how communication could be improved.  Plus, there’s one more thing they’re looking into.

“Is there a chance we can bring him home?  [We’d] be careful, obviously, that we don’t want to expose others, but also recognizing that the U.S. has the ability to provide care that may not be quite as adequate overseas,” Stewart says.

Haering’s wife, Melanie, says they’re currently stuck in a waiting game.  His last two swabs tested positive for the virus.

Related Links

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Health

Myrtle Spurge is often touted as deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, but the plant is rapidly inva...

Eliza Pace

Salt Lake County Health warns of harmful myrtle spurge plant

Myrtle spurge was originally introduced to Utah as a decorative plant but is an invasive species that has spread to natural areas.

7 hours ago

Dairy cows across the country, specifically in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico are getting sick with a...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Cows across the country are getting sick with a “flu-like” illness

Utah is altering the requirements for livestock brought into the state after multiple cows across the country have gotten sick with a flu-like illness.  

18 hours ago

Over 30% of people in Utah are considred prediabetic because of the amount of soda they drink....

Amanda Dickson

Is Utah’s soda obsession behind our levels of prediabetes?

Here in Utah, our soda drinking habits might be making us particularly at risk for prediabetes and diabetes.

1 day ago

A hand holds a tablet stamped with "MF," standing for mifepristone....

CNN

Study shows how self-managed abortion became more common, as Supreme Court abortion drug hearing looms

Medication abortion has become increasingly common since it first became available in the United States two decades ago.

2 days ago

Small screens...

Don Brinkerhoff

Small screens impacting the mental health of kids says study

The increased use of small screens by kids and teens may be linked to increased mental health issues according to a study.

2 days ago

bottles of prescription medication at a desk. 16.2% of Utahns are unable to get the prescription me...

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Utah ranks second in the nation for prescription medication shortages

The hardest prescription medication to get is for ADHD, cancer and high blood pressure.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Utah man with Coronavirus begs government for help and information