COLUMBUS, Ohio — John McGory has been on an international run from COVID-19 for more than 11 months now, beginning in Wuhan, China where he was an English teacher for six years.

What You Need To Know

  • McGory lived in Wuhan when the pandemic started

  • He says he has never contracted COVID-19

  • Some of his family members have been infected with the virus

He was one of the few hundred Americans who managed to get a seat on an evacuation plane back to the states in February.

John returned to his home in central Ohio in early March, but his relief and feeling of safety were short-lived as the virus then began its rapid spread across the U.S. forcing him back into seclusion.

"I live alone for the most part so there's a lot of long lonely days that you have to go through," McGory said.

Those long and lonely days included the holidays, which were very quiet this year.

While managing to continue evading the virus, his list of contacts who have been infected got closer and closer.

"Four or five months ago everyone says, 'Well I don't know anybody that had the virus.' And I think now everybody knows someone that's had the virus," he said.  "My daughter who's pregnant and she had the virus about two to three weeks ago. It was a fairly mild case. Her husband also had it. And my brother, his wife, and his daughters in Los Angeles had been sick with it and they're just getting over it as well."

Thankfully, McGory says none of their cases have been serious.

In the meantime, the published author has been buried in his laptop working on a fictional novel about the virus spreading in Wuhan.

"It also gives me an opportunity to write some stories and intertwine things that happened during my six years living in China and my travels," he said.

As he reflects on this past year, McGory said he's been disappointed watching Americans become so divided, picking battle sides rather than working together.

"To be a strong America we need everyone working together to try to solve our problems. And, I think maybe that's something that we'll take away from this and in the future, you know, we'll learn from it."

With 2021 now just hours away, McGory hopes we can all take the time to share gratitude with thousands of Ohioans who have helped us get through this chaotic year of 2020.

"Thank you to the many, many people that have made it possible for us to exist this year. From the hospital workers and the grocery store people and all the other people that make Ohio, you know, a livable place during this terrible time," he said.

McGory, who is 66 years old, said he is looking forward to getting the vaccine as soon as he can.