'Take Covid seriously': Father-of-four struck down by virus shares raw video from hospital bed to encourage others in his Arabic community in Sydney's south-west to go get vaccinated
A Sydney father-of-four struck down by coronavirus has recalled his harrowing ordeal in a desperate plea for everyone to get vaccinated in a confronting video from his hospital bed.
Khaled Elmasri, 47, was rushed to hospital and almost ended up fighting for life in intensive care because he struggled to breathe.
Almost one week on, his condition has improved but still remains in hospital with a breathing tube inserted in him as he issued a powerful plea to Sydney's Arabic community.
'Of course, I know and knew Covid-19 is a real disease, but I don't think that before now, I took it seriously enough,' Mr Elmasri said from his hospital bed.
Father-of-four Khaled Elmasri has opened up about his Covid-19 battle
'I was careful, but I don't think I was careful enough. I should have committed 100 per cent.'
'It is only now after a few days that I can talk and breathe a bit more normally.'
'Take covid seriously. It's a serious, heavy disease.'
Mr Elmasri is from Belmore in Sydney's south-west region, which has seen a rapid spike in cases as the city's latest outbreak worsens.
He regrets putting plans to get vaccinated on the backburner.
Khaled Elmasri (pictured in hospital) is now urging everyone to get the Covid-19 jab
'Take the vaccine program seriously. I didn't take it seriously enough to put my name down for a vaccine beforehand. With hindsight I feel like I should have done that,' he said.
'And now I'm going to get the vaccine.'
Mr Elmasri wanted to shared his story to urge his friends family and the community to take the virus more seriously.
His GP at Belmore Medical Centre also took part in the video to help spread the important message.
The father-of-four regrets putting plans to vaccinate on the backburner. Pictured are Sydneysiders queueing to get the jab at Sydney Olympic Park
'Khalid wants to share the following video so people can take the advice from someone who got very sick,' Dr Jamal Rifi said.
'Because we don't want any of you to go through what he experienced.'
The NSW government has injected $2 million into helping multicultural organisations spread the message about getting vaccinated and following Covid 19-restrictions, with Sydney's lockdown extended another two weeks until at least July 30.
Lakemba Mosque released a Facebook video on Wednesday featuring community leaders, including a Canterbury Bankstown councillor to help spread coronavirus messaging.