Convenience Big Store: COVID-19 long haulers share their journey one year later

'It’s like being sick every day of your life' | Long haulers share journey after battling COVID-19 – What was once a walk in the park for Justin Wilhite, literally now includes wheels. Wilhite is experiencing a new normal while using a wheelchair that he never used before battling COVID-19. "Today is one year since I developed symptoms," Wilhite said on March 4, 2021. COVID has changed the life of Wilhite, a husband and father of two boys, forever. He is what some are referring to as a 'COVID long-hauler,' someone who continues to experience symptoms of the coronavirus after an acute infection. "I have been sick for 13 months," he said. "I had the flu then COVID." Wilhite first shared his battle with COVID on Twitter in March 2020 saying, "Don’t sleep on this thing people." Though he described himself as “very healthy,” he wrote that the coronavirus had already taken quite a toll on his health. His tweet, for lack of a better term, went viral. (Madison Wade, Samantha Solomon, ABC10)

Deadly Zogg Fire in Shasta County caused by tree hitting PG&E power lines, Cal Fire says – Cal Fire says the deadly Zogg Fire in 2020 was sparked after a pine tree hit PG&E distribution lines. The fire in Shasta County killed four people, destroyed 204 structures, and burned roughly 56,000 acres. After the investigation, Cal Fire said the fire was caused by a pine tree that contacted electrical lines owned and operated by PG&E. In the Zogg Fire, Zach McLeod lost his wife, Alaina Michelle Rowe, and his daughter Feyla. He told ABC10 last year that PG&E was to blame for failing its responsibility to trim trees and failing to shut off power near his home that windy afternoon. Mark Potter, his attorney, says Cal Fire's investigation backs that up. (Eric Escalante, ABC10)

California lawmakers plan major demolition at state Capitol – As California’s economy struggles to recover from the pandemic, state lawmakers are still moving forward with plans to give themselves more spacious offices by demolishing and replacing a part of the Capitol that was built in 1952. The joint rules committee of the legislature unveiled new artist renderings of the design for a replacement of the annex building that houses the governor’s office and the vast majority of lawmakers. The project’s exact cost is unknown, but critics believe it will be at least $1.2 billion. (Brandon Rittiman, ABC10)

TIP OF THE DAY

Free donuts Krispy Kreme is offering a free glazed donut to anyone who gets the COVID-19 vaccine. Any qualified guest just needs to show their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to redeem the offer, which will run through the end of 2021. (Meilin Tompkins, WCNC)

SMILE

Basketball fan Sister Jean is Loyola University's 101-year-old team chaplain and most loyal fan. The pandemic caused her to miss some games for safety reasons, but she was back in the stands for the Ramblers' run in the NCAA tournament. Sister Jean said a pregame prayer against No. 1 seed Illinois University...and the Ramblers won. (Mary Milz, TEGNA)