CNN news anchor Chris Cuomo revealed on television Tuesday night that he was diagnosed with COVID-19.
In the day he found out he was positive for COVID-19, he Tweeted the result and said he was exposed to people who are infected.
"Sooooo in these difficult times that seem to get more difficult and complicated by the day, I just found out that I am positive for coronavirus. I have been exposed to people in recent days who have subsequently tested positive and I had fever, chills and shortness of breath."
"I just hope I didn't give it to the kids and Cristina. That would make me feel worse than this illness! I am quarantined in my basement (which actually makes the rest of the family seem pleased!). I will do my shows from here," he said.
Cuome ended his post with: "We will all beat this by being smart and tough and united!"
Cuomo continued to work, broadcasting his CNN show "Cuomo Prime Time" from his basement via webcam.
"Tonight’s show is going to be a little different, but priority remains," said Cuomo. "I feel fine. I’m able to do the show, but you do not want this."
Cuomo, the brother of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, discussed the symptoms he has been experiencing, such as shortness of breath. He explained that his inability to be with his loved ones is "hurting me way more than anything a virus can."
"I don’t know if the tightness in my chest is a function of the virus or because I’m so pissed off at myself that I’m not able to take care of (my family)," he said.
Cuomo, 49, is frustrated that he could not be there for his family in the way he wanted to be. "I still have to see if I got any of them sick. You can understand how sickening that is to me as a husband and a father."
The anchor pointed that he was "hesitant to talk about me, because who cares."
"This is so small compared to what so many are facing," he added.
On the show, Cuomo asked Americans to observe social distancing measures to flatten the curve. He also disproved a common belief by some people that they are immune to the virus.
"Let me be proof. We have real vulnerability," he said. "You're not too strong. Do not act that way. But show that vulnerability by what you do for yourself and for others."
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta joined him later on the show.
"I'm sorry you're going through this," Gupta told him. "Really. I really feel for you. It's not good; it's a serious thing and you're a tough guy, but I know it really makes people feel miserable. So I'm sorry you're going through this."
Gupta emphasized that it is important to exercise caution when it comes to dealing with trial medications since they have not been proven to eliminate coronavirus.
"The last thing we want to do to anybody, Chris, yourself included, is cause some sort of harm. That's why you do trials," he said.
"I wish it worked. I wish we could say it worked and we knew it for sure and then I would say 'my pal Chris can take this and it can help him reduce the severity and the duration of this virus.' But I can't say that for sure... There's gonna be (a medication that will help), we just don't know what it is yet."
Meanwhile, Don Lemon cheered up his CNN colleague. "Did you get my gift? … I sent you a six-pack of Corona (beer)," Lemon said in jest.
On "CNN Tonight," Lemon had to take a commercial break after tearing up over Cuomo's well-being.
Governor Cuomo's reaction
Meanwhile, Governor Cuomo said in a press conference Tuesday that Chris Cuomo "is going to be fine."
"Even for essential workers, people have to be careful. Again, I've been trying to communicate that everyone – everyone – is subject to this virus," the governor said.
He said he just found out about Chris being positive for coronavirus this morning. The public official believes his brother will be fine because he is young, in good shape, and strong.
"But there's a lesson in this. He's an essential worker, a member of the press, so he's been out there. If you go out there, the chance that you'll get infected is very high."
