MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) – Just days after announcing he contracted coronavirus, State Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) is talking about his experience.

Spectrum News Political Reporter Anthony DaBruzzi spoke with the lawmaker via FaceTime.
 

How are you doing so far?

So far, so good. I'm okay at this point, and I think a majority of the symptoms are much more behind me than in front of me thankfully.
 

To put this into perspective, you contracted coronavirus from someone who also didn't know that they were infected?

Exactly, one of my friends, a member of the Shorewood School Board, we thought nothing of it. We saw each other in a cafe, sat down, and I had also done some community events at that time, thought nothing of it. He didn't know he had it, I didn't know that's where I was contracting the virus, and lo and behold a few days later the symptoms start to pile in and then its effects were very intense.
 

What were those symptoms like? What is it like to be exposed to coronavirus?

Essentially, the body aches, the chills, the fever kicks in pretty heavy. For me, it kicked in pretty quickly. It really takes a toll on your body. Your body is constantly fighting the virus. At the time, I think a lot of people might experience symptoms and think that it's just a regular cold, but unfortunately for me the symptoms were tied to the exact virus.
 

Gov. Evers' “Safer at Home” order is now in effect. What do you think about it?

I think it's the right decision to make. Essentially, there are so many individuals that are going around and essentially are spreading the virus and they don't know it. The same way that I contracted the virus. The same way that a friend of mine had the virus and had no idea. People can literally can spread this around the community. They could spread this to their family. They can spread this to their grandparents and not know it, so I would hope that people really do take heed to that call.
 

Do you have an overall message you want to share with the community?

I want to make sure that I am screaming from the mountaintops the importance that it is to not sweep this under the rug or not take this seriously. Do not go out if you don't have to. The importance of the stay at home order is to ensure that people are only going out for essentials and that they are protecting themselves and their loved ones as much as possible.