Northumberland couple who fought back from Covid hit out at conspiracy theories as husband gets vaccine

Judith and Rod Hardisty, from Amble, were diagnosed with Covid-19 in October 2020 despite following restrictions and Public Health guidance since the start of the pandemic.

Rod, 72, who has asthma and COPD, developed a worrying cough and tested positive for covid on October 9. His wife, Judith, 58, tested positive just days later on October 14.

During isolation, the couple became increasingly ill, suffering from fatigue along with loss of smell and taste.

Judith also experienced weakness in her legs, breathlessness and long covid symptoms such as sickness and diarrhoea.

Rod said: "It was a big scare for me.

"It started with a continuous dry cough – I coughed so much I made myself sore.

"I had a dry throat … [I felt] very lethargic and didn’t have any energy to do anything.”

After three weeks Rod felt better and since the couple recovered, although Judith still has some long covid symptoms.

Two weeks ago, Rod had his first Covid-19 vaccine at Amble Health Centre and hopes his experience will encourage others to go for the jab.

"You see all this stupid fake news on social media and when you have coronavirus it annoys you when you hear these stories,” he said.

"I have had no after effects whatsoever from the vaccine. I couldn’t wait to go.

"The health centre in Amble has a very good name for this. It is very regimented and organised.

"You are in the time that you are supposed to be in and then you are out again with the injection done.

"So for goodness sake get your injection, not just for your sake, but for everybody else's.”

Judith is still waiting for her vaccine as she is not being in the vulnerable category like Rod, but said her mother has also received it and had a positive experience.

"My mam has had her vaccine with no side effects at 86 years old,” Judith said.

"She was really happy to have the vaccine.

"She felt relieved and couldn’t wait to have it because it was saving her life.”

Judith said she had grown frustrated at ‘scaremongering’ on social media regarding the vaccine and said she feels it is a matter of life or death to have it.

“I have seen people putting on Facebook ‘if you are going for your injection prepared to be ill the next day’ and that is going to put people off going for it,” she said.

“We have been waiting for this vaccine and [with it] we have been given a lifeline.

"We both think it should be compulsory that you get it.

"It’s a matter of life or death I would say.”

Judith continued: "The vaccine is giving us a lifeline.

"My opinion is that if you don’t get the vaccine and you catch coronavirus or give it to a loved one then you can’t blame the Government as they advise you to take it.

"If you don’t take it it’s your own fault.”

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