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“Within Days I Was Able To Breathe”: NYC Democratic Councilman Says Hydroxychloroquine Saved His Life

    “Within a week I was back on my feet”

    Zero Hedge – August 9, 2020

    Image Credits: GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images.

    An immunocompromised New York City Councilman who underplayed the severity of his COVID-19 diagnosis in April now says that it was actually much worse, and hydroxychloroquine saved his life.

    Paul Vallone, a Democrat who represents Queens, says he took the drug along with a ‘Z-pack’ antibiotic and drastically improved within days.

    I couldn’t breathe, very weak, couldn’t get out of bed. My doctor prescribed it. My pharmacy had it. Took it that day and within two to three days I was able to breathe,” Vallone told the New York Post, adding “Within a week I was back on my feet.

    Though Vallone went public with his coronavirus diagnosis in an April 1 Twitter post, saying he was experiencing “mild symptoms,” his actual condition was considerably more severe. Vallone’s initial prognosis was particularly grim, as he also suffers from sarcoidosis, an auto-immune disease that attacks his lungs.

    “We were in panic mode when I went down because I didn’t have a lot of immune response,” he said. “I needed something to stay alive.” –New York Post

    Vallone’s brother, former City Councilman Peter who currently serves as a civil court judge in Queens, is now a believer in the drug.

    “I guess all those doctors who are prescribing it are right. This drug is already on the market and the patent is up so it’s cheap. A new drug won’t be. So big money does not want this drug to be used. Always follow the money,” Peter said in a May 12 Facebook post.

    Paul, responding in the comments section, said “[It] saved my life.

    Hydroxychloroquine, or HCQ, is a commonly used anti-malaria drug also used for decades to treat lupus and arthritis. It became covid-19 treatment non-grata, however, after President Trump touted the inexpensive drug earlier this year – admitting to taking a course as a prophylactic against the disease.

    “You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it, especially the frontline workers before you catch it. The frontline workers — many, many are taking it,” Trump said in May.

    Studies on the drug have been mixed but mostly positive, with recent evidence pointing to significant results against COVID-19 when used early in the disease’s progression.

    Paul Vallone reflected on his April diagnosis, saying “At that time, there was only fear and panic, he offered hope in a possible treatment when there was none. With my sarcoidosis and then my COVID symptoms, It basically saved me. For that my family will always be thankful.”

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