'Could have been much worse': Milwaukee mayor shares message following his COVID-19 recovery

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Protection from COVID-19 is a top priority for Milwaukee's acting mayor, especially after he himself became sick from the virus.

CBS 58 spoke one-on-one with Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson as he handed out high-quality masks at the Menomonee Valley testing site on Monday, Jan. 10.

"Having gone through it and knowing people who have gone through it in my personal life as well -- look, we know that is serious. My situation -- and those others that are close to me -- could have been much worse," he said.

It's been just over a week since he tested positive. An at-home test came back positive on Jan. 2 as part of his regular testing routine.

Johnson told CBS 58 his entire household tested positive, and everyone except his youngest children is vaccinated.

"I feel fine. I feel great. I'm back up and at 'em. I'm back doing my duties and back up on the campaign trail, as well," Johnson said.

The mayor got both COVID-19 doses and he is boosted. He credits his mild symptoms to that.

Johnson is speaking about his recovery in hopes that people will heed his words and follow his actions, so they don't become hospitalized with the virus.

"The number one thing that we can do in order to curb COVID-19 is to get vaccinated, and that's exactly what residents of this city should be doing," he said.

The mayor also encourages people to take advantage of the free masks from the city. He said people should be wearing a mask in public and that's why the city has a mask advisory in place.