Shane Warne reveals he was on a ‘special ventilator’ to make sure he didn’t develop long Covid symptoms
Shane Warne has urged Australians to get vaccinated as soon as possible after his own battle with coronavirus.
The renowned spin bowler, who’s living in the UK and serving as head coach of the London Spirit cricket team, contracted the respiratory virus in August.
The 52-year-old’s battle with Covid eventually led to him being put on a ‘special ventilator’ designed to prevent longer-term symptoms developing.
Preventative measure: Shane Warne has revealed his battle with Covid eventually led to him being put on a ‘special ventilator’ designed to prevent longer-term symptoms developing
‘The first couple of days, when I tested positive, I just had a thumping headache and I had one day where I had the shivers, but [was] sweating, like when you have the flu,’ Warne told The Herald Sun.
The sportsman was double vaccinated, making his admission to hospital very rare, and described the jab as the ‘holy grail’ that possibly saved his life.
He explained the ventilator he used was not an ’emergency ventilator’ because he never experienced breathing difficulties, unlike many other Covid patients.
Health battle: Double-jabbed Shane explained the ventilator he used was not an ’emergency ventilator’ because he never experienced breathing difficulties, unlike many other Covid patients. It was instead a more sophisticated device designed to protect his long-term health
It was instead a more sophisticated device designed to protect his long-term health.
‘It wasn’t because I could not breathe, or anything like that. It was basically a special ventilator that I was trialling to make sure there were no longer-lasting effects that Covid would have on me,’ Warne said.
The Spin King is now feeling ‘absolutely fine’ and has been able to resume regular exercise, including going for runs and playing golf.
He added that Australia’s ‘zero-Covid policy’ and state lockdowns are ‘unrealistic’ and ‘damaging’, and hopes his home country can one day learn to live with the virus.
Fighting fit: The Spin King is now feeling ‘absolutely fine’ and has been able to resume regular exercise, including going for runs and playing golf. Pictured in England on September 8
Warne acknowledged it’s not easy for Prime Minister Scott Morrison or the state premiers to make decisions during Covid outbreaks, he said there are some things Australia ‘has just got wrong’.
‘What you have to do is learn to live with it and that is what I have seen over here [in Britain],’ he said.
The sportsman emphasised that getting vaccinated should now ‘be the message’ so that Australia can return to a sense of normality.
Soapbox: He added that Australia’s ‘zero-Covid policy’ and state lockdowns are ‘unrealistic’ and ‘damaging’, and hopes his home country can one day learn to live with the virus