His daughter brought it home from softball practice. At first it felt like allergies. Then it was a cough, worsening through the night. By day three, IBEW Local 48 rep Scott Zadow says he’d never felt so sick in his life. His wife Brandi monitored his oxygen levels, and called 911 when they dropped to 66%. Zadow went by ambulance to the emergency room April 1, and stayed at Kaiser Sunnyside 11 days. 

“It was scary,” Zadow says. “The first couple days in the hospital I didn’t think I was getting out of there.” 

Zadow, who just turned 44, says besides being a big dude he doesn’t have any underlying conditions. The rest of his family got it, but had only minor or no symptoms. He’s grateful to the union paramedics and nurses for saving his life and for emotional support as he recovered. Since release, he’s been sharing his story with union members.

“Trying to explain how sick I was is really hard. It was like having something in your body that’s sucking every ounce of energy.”

Union COVID vaccine events 

Northwest Oregon Labor Council, AFL-CIO (NOLC) is partnering with the Professional Business Development Group (PBDG) to host several free COVID vaccination clinics, funded by the Oregon Health Authority. Pharmacy professionals from Albertsons/Safeway will administer the first of two Pfizer vaccine shots and schedule a second shot at a local Safeway or Albertsons. There will also be free food and an opportunity to win raffle prizes. People are encouraged to pre-register but can also just drop in. No ID or insurance is required.  

“Getting as many people vaccinated as possible helps make our workplaces and our families safer,” said NOLC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Bob Tackett in the announcement.

PBDG is a trade association representing minority and women contractors and others within the construction industry.

• When/Where:  July 17 at the Tualatin High School parking lot, 22300 SW Boones Ferry Rd, Tualatin; and July 24 at Laborers 737 Training Center, 17230 NE Sacramento St., Portland
• Cost: Free
• Register for a shot or to volunteer:  pbdgweb.com/covid-19-resources