KELO Radio's Jon Michaels, back in "the pink" following his bout with COVID-19, 1/7/22. KELO.com News photo by Todd Epp.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Just before Christmas, COVID-19 hit longtime KELO Radio legend Jon Michaels.
In this interview with KELO.com News news director Todd Epp, Jon discusses what his symptoms were like, how the Veterans Affairs hospital treated his illness, and some of the lingering effects he still feels.
Jon, 75 and a Navy veteran, says the VA took great care of him. When called and described his symptoms, they had immediately come to the hospital in Sioux Fall. After confirming the diagnosis, Jon says they immediately put him on an infusion.
He says he had two COVID vaccinations. He credits that and the infusions for his “mild” symptoms. They included “the worst chills in my life,” a lack of appetite, and a sore throat. Even now, several weeks later, he says he still has a bit of a sore throat. Jon also says he slept a lot in the early days of having the virus.
Given his symptoms, Jon thinks he may have had the Omicron variant.
Now, Jon jokes that “this is the best I’ve felt all year (2022.)” After being off work for about ten days, Jon is back behind the microphone producing his long-running “Forum” public affairs program and board operating/producing sporting events on KWSN.
Since 1977, Jon has been the public affairs director at KELO Radio. He has been in radio since the 1960s and had one of the first successful “discos on wheels” in the 1970s. He’s also an inductee in the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
