The Faces of Covid

[JustGeorge]

I learned this morning that my son's grandfather passed away, due to Covid.

When we think or talk about Covid, we are often looking at numbers, statistics, percentages, etc, but seldom do we put a face on any of it.

I open this thread to give a 'face' to the victims, both to remember them, and to give a personality those numbers we read in the news. To show their real value and loss...because its too hard to really understand what we're losing through raw data alone.

Please note this is not a thread to debate Covid's reality or complain about precautions(or people who don't take them). Just a place to acknowledge those who didn't make it, please.

 

[JustGeorge]

My son's grandfather was a wonderful man.

He was unique; I've never met person quite like him. He was short, gruff, swore every other word(in some very creative ways), and would give you the shirt off his back if you asked.

Indeed, he'd probably prefer to; he didn't care much for being clothed, and could be seen at all hours of the day in his tidy whities. I remember an unknowing aunt stopped by to drop something at the house for me(I lived with him for a few years), and was shocked at the mostly clothless man that answered the door, unashamed "yeah, what do you need?" We still tease her about this...

He kept life simple. He was retired for the whole that I'd known him, but had been a Deere's worker previously.

He enjoyed junk food more than any person, adult or child, that I've ever met. He once chased my son(a toddler at the time) behind a chair, trying to give him a candy bar; my son had had enough, but he couldn't compute that. He didn't know about 'too much' when it came to candy. He had heart trouble, and I remember him displaying a 'heart healthy breakfast' to us; fried sausage...but it had a pile of canned carrots next to it. He was so proud...

He took good care of his family; much better than most, and sometimes too well(some of the children struggled to fly the nest). In the end, he just wanted everyone to be happy.

The world will be a lesser place without him.

 

[Altfish]

One of our neighbours died of it about 10 days ago. He was 80 but a very fit 80, used to walk 3 miles a day with his dog.

They think he caught it at his grandson's college open day ... but who knows.

We will miss Willie

 

[ChristineM]

My best friends mother died during the previous lockdown. I'd only met her a few times and remember she made the most wonderful scones.

She developed Alzheimer's and slowly deteriorated until her family considered she needed professional care. The family did what they could through last Christmas and moved her to a home in January.

Then in March came covid. The staff were continually monitored and at the first sign of temperature, cough etc the staff member was sent home for 2 weeks. At first this worked but eventually relief staff had to be brought in.

It is believed that Edna caught covid from one of the relief staff. She died in May.

It's been very hard for the family who believed, if only they had tried a little harder and kept her at her own home she would still be alive now

 

[Shadow Wolf]

A neighbor here died of it a couple months ago.
A friend of some family friends was one of the first people to die of it in this county.
My aunt survived, but due to the fatigue amd weakness she did fall after getting out of bed one morning and she broke her hip and leg.

 

[ChristineM]

We live in a small village in France, as yet untouched by covid (although there are cases in 2 surrounding villages).

We have a very close community. A Scottish friend who lives nearby recently lost his father at age 97 to natural causes. He collapsed and died while walking with his dog back from the pub.

His wife, my friends mother, survived him by just 6 weeks, she succumbed to covid.

 

[Suave]

One of our neighbours died of it about 10 days ago. He was 80 but a very fit 80, used to walk 3 miles a day with his dog.

They think he caught it at his grandson's college open day ... but who knows.

We will miss Willie

Sorry to read of your loss, if college would have been strictly done remotely, then your neighbor might still be around to walk with his dog for many more days.

 

[JustGeorge]

Sorry to read of your loss, if college would have been strictly done remotely, then your neighbor might still be around to walk with his dog for many more days.

Not the place for that, please. If you want to argue about restrictions that should be taken during Covid, there are very many places for you on RF to do so.

Only remembrances, please.

 

[Suave]

Not the place for that, please. If you want to argue about restrictions that should be taken during Covid, there are very many places for you on RF to do so.

Only remembrances, please.

Remembering the 100,000 Lives Lost to Coronavirus in America

 

[Altfish]

Sorry to read of your loss, if college would have been strictly done remotely, then your neighbor might still be around to walk with his dog for many more days.

It was socially distanced and outdoor. But it appears to have been a risk too far.
The college later had an outbreak and closed for a fortnight

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I don't know anyone close with COVID but those at risk. Though, I thought this would help with other people's loss and grief. I was trying to find one that wasn't too much of a tear jerker. I get that way with many people dying of illnesses or contracted with them.

 

[SigurdReginson]

My cousin Ricky has passed on due to covid.

When he was a teenager, he was in advanced classes. He was truly a genius, and snappy as hell. He had a bright future.

He was hit by a drunk driver during an accident and lost the ability to control his body. His mind was still just as sharp as ever, but he had a hard time communicating even the most simple of concepts with people.

He was taken care of by my great uncle Marty, who had passed on a year ago. Marty was able to communicate and understand what Ricky wanted, so it was a real hit for Ricky when he had gone. Before my cousin died in the hospital, he just lamented on how much he missed Marty.

He lived a very hard life. At least his suffering is over now, but he was robbed of his life in a very unfair way...