Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has revealed that she’s now doing fine after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
On Monday, Rowling took to Twitter to share that she “had all symptoms” of the coronavirus in the past two weeks. Though she hasn’t been tested for the disease, Rowling said that she has now “fully recovered.” She also shared a video of a breathing technique that she said had helped her get better. Rowling added that he did the technique on the advice of her husband Neil Murray, who is a doctor.
The four-minute video shows Dr. Sarfaraz Munshi, from Queen’s Hospital in Romford, U.K., demonstrating a breathing technique for COVID-19 patients that could prevent them from contracting secondary pneumonia, which could further deteriorate their condition.
Dr. Munshi says his colleague Sue Elliot relies on the technique every day in intensive care units, but patients self-isolating with the symptoms can also benefit from it. He also adds that uninfected people can also benefit from it if they start doing it before they fall ill with coronavirus.
Please watch this doc from Queens Hospital explain how to relieve respiratory symptoms. For last 2 weeks I've had all symptoms of C19 (tho haven't been tested) & did this on doc husband's advice. I'm fully recovered & technique helped a lot.https://t.co/xo8AansUvc via @YouTube
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 6, 2020
The technique involves taking in five deep breaths, holding it for five seconds, and doing a big cough after the sixth breath. Dr. Munshi says people should do that twice before lying on their front with a pillow for support and take slightly deeper than normal breaths for 10 minutes.
“The majority of your lung is on your back, not on the front. By lying on your back you’re closing off more of the smaller airways, and this is not good during a period of infection,” explains. Dr. Munshi. “[It can] lead to atelectasis. This can then lead to secondary pneumonia.”
He continues: “Lying in bed for prolonged periods, on your back, is going to close off the small airways. ‘[It will] increase your risk of secondary pneumonia, that can make your condition deteriorate much further.”
In a follow-up tweet, Rowling thanked everyone who checked on her and reiterated that she has “completely recovered.”
Thank you for your kind and lovely messages! I really am completely recovered and wanted to share a technique that’s recommended by doctors, costs nothing, has no nasty side effects but could help you/your loved ones a lot, as it did me. Stay safe, everyone x
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 6, 2020
Rowling’s revelation that she experienced COVID-19 symptoms comes less than a week after she launched Harry Potter at Home, an online hub featuring entertainment based on her Harry Potter novel series. The website features fun articles, quizzes, puzzles, nifty magical craft videos, and special contributions from publishing companies Bloomsbury and Scholastic.
Parents, teachers and carers working to keep children amused and interested while we’re on lockdown might need a bit of magic, so I’m delighted to launch https://t.co/cPg0dZpexB pic.twitter.com/i0ZjTplVoU
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1, 2020