By Louis Chan, AsAmNews National Correspondent
Actor Daniel Dae Kim, in a heartfelt and moving message, announced in a video posted on Facebook that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Wearing facial hair that he called his “quarantine chic” Kim talked about how he discovered his condition, urged the young to take the disease seriously, and condemned those who have taken their anxieties and anger out on the Asian American community.
Kim said he took a flight back to Hawaii after production of the show New Amsterdam had to be halted out of precaution due to the outbreak.
While on the flight, he started noticing a scratch in his throat and decided to call his doctor after landing. The doctor advised him to monitor his condition and self-quarantine.
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When he noticed a tightening in his chest, body aches and his temperature started rising, the doctor advised him to get tested at a drive through facility in Honolulu. Despite a positive diagnosis, he’s upbeat and feeling better.
“I never went to the hospital. With the help of medication, bed rest, liquids and a loving family, I didn’t need to,” Kim said. “I started to feel better and little better the day after that and today, even though I’m not 100 percent, I’m pretty close.”
He said the drive to get his test is the only time he’s been out since returning home. He has totally self-isolated and says his family has also been tested and does not have the coronavirus.
“I was not asytematic,” he said. “A lot of younger people can carry the virus without having any symptoms whatsoever. That was not me. I was sick. I’m still am. Thankfully for me its not a matter of life and death. Even though I’m smiling and upbeat right now, for several days I was in bed.
“So for all those out there, especially teenagers and millennials who think this is not serious, please know that it is. If you treat this without care, you are potentially endangering the lives of millions of people, including your loved ones.”
Kim said he did not receive special treatment because of his status as an actor-that he only received a coronavirus test because he had symptoms and his family received a test because they were exposed to him.
“I believe health care for all is a right, not a privilege. The virus does not care about race, or gender, religion, sexual orientation, whether you’re rich or poor or even your immigration status.
“To the people I came in contact with during the incubation period, I want to sincerely apologize. I had no way of knowing. I feel terrible I could have given this to anyone. This of course includes the cast and crew of New Amsterdam. To you guys I’m so sorry. I really enjoyed working with you all.
He ended with this important message.
“Please, please stop the prejudice and senseless violence against Asian people. Randomly beating elderly sometimes homeless Asian Americans is cowardly, heartbreaking and its inexcusable. Yes I’m Asian. and yes I have coronavirus. But I didn’t get it in China. I got it in America in New York city. Despite what certain political leaders want to call it, I don’t think the place that its from is as important as the people who are sick and dying. If I did, I would call this thing the New York virus, but that would be silly.
“The important thing is that name calling gets us no where.”
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