MACON, Ga. — Photographer Kirk West has been taking pictures of famous musicians since the 1970s, including the Allman Brothers Band.
"We were in a room with 18,000 people," says Kirk. At the beginning of March, he and his wife Kirsten took a trip to New York City to take pictures as the Allman Brothers Band performed one last big show.
"Nobody knew at that time just how much of a hot seat New York City was, and this concert was on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning, they started canceling everything," says Kirk.
Once the curtains closed and the Wests traveled back to Georgia, they started feeling under the weather.
"I thought it was pollen," said Kirsten.
After a week of feeling sick, the Wests called their doctor to get tested for COVID-19.
"They did a COVID swab, and they did a flu swab, and then we didn't get the results until today," says Kirsten.
It took over a week to find out if they tested positive.
Kirk says, "There really isn't any complete notion of how deep this thing has spread, because, I mean, it took 13 days to get my test results back."
After several weeks of fatigue and stomach problems, they are finally regaining their health.
"The spirit's good, the appetite's good, there's no pain and suffering anymore, just way low on steam," says Kirk.
Now, they are feeling thankful and urging people to take the virus seriously.
"He's 69, I'm 74. The fact that we survived this, both of us -- and Kirk has had a heart attack and has underlying conditions -- it's imperative that everyone follow guidelines," says Kirsten.
OTHER RECOVERY STORIES
FACTS NOT FEAR | At 13WMAZ, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the coronavirus. To see our full coverage, visit our site section here: www.13wmaz.com/Coronavirus.
Have a news tip? Email news@13wmaz.com, or visit our Facebook page.