A Covid Story

The author does a brilliant job of keeping their sad and desperate real life story from being too heavy and depressing. This story was so moving and heartbreaking and visceral that one could feel as if they were there in these moments in the throws of uncertainty and anxiety as life and death decisions are made. It is an excellent recount of the early days of this deadly pandemic and the inadequacies of our healthcare system and the absolute bravery and brilliance of the care takers; the nurses, the doctors, all healthcare professionals, as they bravely fought to understand and treat this deadly virus and ultimately save lives. Overall, the author uses humor (sometimes laugh out loud) in the darkest of moments and intertwines their own coma/drug induced reality with that of family, friends, and caretakers who offer their unique perspectives of what was 'really' going on. This gives the audience a fresh perspective and glimpse into being in that hospital bed battling for and ultimately losing ones life and the triumph of grinding and gaining it back over 88 days. Absolutely inspiring and so revealing of a time period of the greatest fear and chaos that our generation, may we hope, ever know.

Just finished reading it and it is such an eye-opening glimpse into the mind of a covid survivor, or maybe THE covid survivor. I think we all have been impacted by covid in one way or another, but I don't think there is a person in the world who had been impacted more than the author and lived to tell about it. I myself had covid and was hospitalized and almost died, but Dave's story is uniquely extreme and surreal, and his ability to come out the other side with a sense of purpose and appreciation has changed my "woe is me" outlook on my own experience. I really liked the matter of fact way I got to experience his coma and recovery through the eyes of a patient and the friends and doctors rooting for him. It is a perfect example of how fragile and uncertain life can be, and in the end all we can control is our attitude and perception. An inspiring look at a disease that shut down the world but couldn't break one man's spirit.

I was nervous to read 'A COVID Story' right away since the pandemic is still ongoing. I thought it might be too soon. I was wrong. I think everyone should read this book now! While you will almost definitely need some tissues along the way since Mr. Paris really lets you into such a difficult and vulnerable time in his illness and recovery, I cannot think of a more hopeful story to experience right now. The way he tells his story is simple and accessible, yet masterful. I was especially drawn in by the way the story is presented like an interaction between all the people involved — his family, his friends, the medical professionals who saved his life, and Mr. Paris. This book is the perfect balance of hardship and hope.

I read this in one sitting. It's a balm to my soul as an ICU nurse caring for covid patients to learn details about a survivor. In my line of work we've had few wins this past year. Everyone needs some wins. I love how Dave shared his thought processes and emotions, his humanity. It's his deeply personal story but at the same time he touches on universal issues. This short book can't help but make the reader want the best for the author and to keep reading and reading to see how the story turns out.

Part memoir, part life guide, 100 percent inspiring. Beautifully written with candor, humor and reflective insight. A great read that goes deeper than a battle with COVID. Dave Paris’s poignant story will stay with you long after the book ends.

This book was truly amazing. An inside look at the horrors of Covid and it's aftermath when the pandemic first took hold of America. Dave's insight and humor are truly inspiring. I cannot say enough about this book, or the man who wrote it! Nice work Dave! I'm so, SOOO sorry it happened but talk about a triumph! You INSPIRE me! Thank YOU!!!