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Even as we enter the final week of March, the entire world remains hostage to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat. The pandemic that started in December last year has already affected close to 341,000 people worldwide and claimed 14,700 lives. By Monday morning, the number of Indian residents who had tested positive for the virus had jumped to 418, with the death toll in the country climbing to eight.
The U.S. is one of the majorly affected countries affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. According to CNN, the country has reported a total of 34,354 cases to-date that includes 414 deaths. With the increasing threat of COVID-19, many businesses across the world have either stopped operations or have employees working from home.
A majority of poker players are on self-quarantine as encouraged by the state bodies to practice social distancing. Despite this, with the number of cases rising, it was inevitable that cases of Coronavirus infection would invariably start getting reported among the poker community. In what comes as the first case of a prominent poker pro to be infected by COVID-19, American pro David ‘Doc’ Sands (cover image) has come out publicly to declare that he has tested positive for Coronavirus.
Sands took to Twitter late night on Sunday and explained what had happened over a series of tweets.
“I was diagnosed with Covid-19 last night…” Sands said.
1/ I was diagnosed with COVID-19 last night. I want to share my experience in case it is helpful to others. I am 35yo male with no preexisting conditions who is married with two children. I don't smoke, rarely drink and workout 4x/week during normal times.
— David Doc Sands (@Doc_Sands) March 22, 2020
According to the Hendon Mob database, 35-year old Sands holds the world record for maximum Sunday major victories – a massive eight title wins. If he has more than $1.6 Million in online winnings alone, his total live earnings go beyond a jaw-dropping $8.45 Million. His illustrious resume boasts of prestigious live titles like the 2013 WPT World Championship $100K Super High Roller and the 2014 Aria Super High Roller 5 $10K Championship.
Sands has, in his tweets, pointed out that he can’t say how and from whom he caught the virus.
“I have no idea how I got the virus,” Sands said, underlining how he had been extra cautious. Moreover, he claims to not only have discontinued going to the gym but he apparently also wore gloves and mask during public outings while continuing to remain ‘paranoid’ about keeping clean.
He narrated, “On Monday evening, I was a bit fatigued and started feeling sinus pressure which developed into a severe headache. On Tuesday morning I woke up with one of the worst headaches I’ve ever had…. I also had a touch of post-nasal drip and a very occasional (maybe 5x/day) cough. But I didn’t think I had COVID-19 since I didn’t have a fever or shortness of breath, which in addition to a cough are the two primary symptoms according to the CDC website.”
Sands went on to explain how he called his doctor, who said he didn’t need to get tested. When he didn’t start feeling better, Sands eventually insisted on getting tested. It turned out to be the right decision since he tested positive for COVID-19.
5/ By Wednesday my headache had improved to a mild, dull ache similar to what I get during a bad allergy day. I could percieve a small bit of flem in my throat which I would clear by deliberately coughing.
— David Doc Sands (@Doc_Sands) March 22, 2020
4/ I called my Dr. on Tuesday, but he said I didn't need to get tested since I had been isolated with my family for the prior 5 days and hadn't come in contact with anyone known to have the virus.
— David Doc Sands (@Doc_Sands) March 22, 2020
6/ I remember thinking this was a "wet" and not a "dry" cough. Thus I continued to believe I didn't have COVID-19. On Wednesday night I had a mild case of diarrhea, my only episode of the week.
— David Doc Sands (@Doc_Sands) March 22, 2020
7/ On Thursday I felt about the same as I did on Wednesday so I told my Dr I wanted to get tested. I was fortunate that I have a concierge Dr. who administered the test from my car at his office.
— David Doc Sands (@Doc_Sands) March 22, 2020
Sands talked about the precautions he’d been taking before discovering he had contracted the virus, including him and his family going into complete quarantine.
8/ He called me back last night (Saturday) around 9 pm and told me I am positive. Today (Sunday) I still have a mild headache and a touch of flem or "heaviness" in my throat. Otherwise I am totally fine.
— David Doc Sands (@Doc_Sands) March 22, 2020
10/ I wore gloves and often a mask during the few times I was in public in the week preceding my symptoms, and I practiced what would be generally regarded as extreme hygiene (shoes off in garage, all clothes off and in washing machine immediately upon entering house…
— David Doc Sands (@Doc_Sands) March 22, 2020
Sands’ tweet sent the poker community in a spin. Six-time bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu was among the pros to react.
Insane! I remember elbow shaking with you at the gym talking about all this stuff well before it was even on most people’s radar.
Glad to hear you are OK man. https://t.co/jCQIfHMtzI
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) March 23, 2020
Others like Erik Seidel, Todd Brunson, and Jennifer Tilly wished him a speedy recovery.
Hope you & family get thru this without any more problems ?
— Erik Seidel (@Erik_Seidel) March 22, 2020
Best of luck man. Hope you and your Family sail through this with no serious problems. ?
— Todd Brunson (@ToddBrunson) March 23, 2020
Wow, thanks for sharing. I hope you feel better soon.
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) March 22, 2020
The fact that Sands has tested positive for COVID-19 reminds us of just how vulnerable each one of us is to this contagious virus. Currently, the situation may seem contained in India. Still, if the outbreak snowballs into more significant proportions as it has in Europe and the U.S., similar stories could likely emerge from the domestic poker community as well.
Under such trying circumstances, we urge all our readers to exercise caution, follow the restrictions, and the guidelines suggested by the WHO and the respective state governments. Stay indoors and stay safe!