Milwaukee County men diagnosed with COVID-19 share their experiences, recovery

Updated: 8:12 p.m. on March 20, 2020

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two Milwaukee County men who are in self-quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 are openly sharing their recovery journey.

One man lives in West Allis, and the other in Shorewood. They say they do not know where or how they got COVID-19.

Both men are in their 40s and have preexisting medical conditions.

Forty-eight-year-old Pablo Muirhead of Shorewood got his positive coronavirus test result back on Sunday. He's a teacher at MATC and has an autoimmune disorder.

He went to the doctor after having a fever, chills, body aches and headaches. 

"I called in sick -- I called my primary care physician, got an appointment later that day, got a test for influenza, which came back negative," he said. 

"Surprised me," said Neil Panosian, who also tested positive. "I expected them to say you have bronchitis or something."

Forty-four-year old Panosian of West Allis works for the Oak Creek Postal Service and is a DJ. He has asthma.

He knew something was wrong when he had a runny nose, difficulty breathing and unusual exhaustion.

"I went to take out the garbage which was literally 20 feet from my door, and I was out of breath," he said.

Muirhead says he may have been prioritized for testing because he had a preexisting condition. His wife and two kids are also being treated as COVID-19 positive. 

"I don't think today with my symptoms and my background that I would be able to get tested," he said. 

The two men say they're recovering just fine, and want people to stay calm while remembering to social distance.

"The calming, reassuring message for everybody is that my symptoms lasted all of -- they kind of came and went," Muirhead said. "My fever was gone by late afternoon."

"Follow the guidelines, but just don't do so living in fear," added Panosian. 

They're both under quarantine for two weeks, and will stay quarantined until they've been symptom-free for at least three days through a self evaluation.

Their quarantine has taught them important lessons.

"Everything can be a blessing when viewed in the right light," said Panosian. "You just gotta find a way to make it good, until we can get together again."

"As a community, as a broader network of humans, to collectively re-prioritize our values," added Muirhead.

Both men are now working closely with local health authorities and providing them with a list of places they've been and who they've been in contact with. They're also asked to keep track of their symptoms.

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Posted: 12:20 p.m. on March 20, 2020

SHOREWOOD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Shorewood man diagnosed with coronavirus is taking to YouTube to share how he's feeling and send a message to others.

In one video, Pablo Muirhead said he took a coronavirus test on Thursday, March 12. On Sunday, March, 15, he learned he was positive for the virus.

"I've been in self-quarantine since the symptoms started," he said in the video. 

Muirhead said he woke up with chills, body aches and a headache. He went to see his doctor and was tested. He believes he was able to get a test because he has an underlying autoimmune disorder.

Muirhead said he doesn't know where or how he got COVID-19.

"I've been working closely with the health authorities to provide a very, very specific list of places I've been, events I've been, people with whom I've been," he said. 

Muirhead is self-isolating and telling the public why it is necessary for everyone.

"Social distancing is really important, keep your kids at home," he said.

In a second video, Muirhead gave an update saying his wife and daughter both tested positive for COVID-19, but are doing well.

"Wishing everybody a day of strength, a day of positive energy, focus and resolve, we will get through this together," he said.