It was the day before Christmas when drummer Damien Campbell learned he had COVID-19.
The first signs that he had contracted the disease were cold symptoms and a feeling of weakness, but he put those down to a summer sniffle.
"I had no idea it was going to be COVID or anything," he said.
The musician from Queensland's Sunshine Coast was not vaccinated.
Campbell said he felt the use of vaccination mandates by the Queensland government as it prepared to loosen border rules were unfair and created a form of "segregation".
"We weren't allowed to play in certain venues if we weren't vaccinated," he said.
"I felt like that was a forced decision, being forced on us.
"If you didn't do it, I couldn't do what I love to do to my fullest capacity.
Catching COVID at Christmas
Campbell took a PCR test days before he was due to sit down to a Christmas dinner with his family.
The positive result came back on Christmas Eve.
In the 52 days since the Omicron wave began sweeping over Queensland in line with border openings, more than 450,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus.
The number of COVID deaths in Queensland increased from seven to 296 in the same period.
Campbell said Queensland Health staff rang him "every couple of days" as he battled the virus and his friends left minerals, vitamins, and meals at his front door.
He said the intensity of the virus was robbing him of taste, smell, and the joy he usually felt when he played his instruments.
'Worst sickness I've ever been through'
After 10 days of suffering, Campbell was brought to hospital by ambulance.
At Sunshine Coast University Hospital he learned he was severely dehydrated, but his oxygen levels were fine.
With no concern over his blood results, he was discharged.
As he recovered, his personal view on the vaccine shifted.
"After going through COVID, I realised I couldn't go through anything worse again in my life," Campbell said.
"I went and got vaccinated pretty much like a week after recovering."
What doctors are seeing
Australian Medical Association of Queensland director and Brisbane GP Dr Maria Boulton said changes of heart like Campbell's were common.
"We're seeing a lot of people who were sitting on the fence with regards to vaccination now come and have a chat and get a vaccine," Dr Boulton said.
"It's because COVID is everywhere.
"I don't know anyone who doesn't have either a family member or a friend who hasn't been touched by COVID at the moment — it makes things way more real."
Dr Boulton said being vaccinated was the easiest way to reduce the risk of a severe infection.
"Above all, we don't want anyone to be sick, we don't want anyone to die," she said.
From the 'high horse' to needing help
Campbell said while he still did not agree with some of the government policies on vaccines, he now had a different perspective.
"I was like, 'OK, this thing is real' and these [health workers] are doing an amazing job and they're under so much pressure," he said.
"It's easy to get on your high horse and have an opinion when we're not being affected by something.
"But as soon as we are there and we need that help and we get that help, then it's like 'Thank you so much'.
