A Texas mom’s dying want earlier than she died of COVID-19 was that her 4 youngsters get vaccinated towards the virus.
After a week-long journey at church camp, Lydia Rodriguez, 42, of Galveston, Texas, and different members of her household examined constructive for the coronavirus.
Rodriguez hadn’t been vaccinated as a result of she thought her physique was robust sufficient to battle COVID-19 with out the vaccine however – by the point she needed the vaccine it was too late, reported The Washington Post.
As an alternative, she was positioned on a ventilator, her cousin Dottie Jones advised The Washington Post.
The mother-of-four misplaced her husband, Lawrence, to the virus in the beginning of August, and earlier than she misplaced her personal battle to it Monday.
Lydia Rodriguez, 42 (left), and her husband Lawrence Rodriguez, 49 (proper), who handed away from coronavirus issues mentioned they need they’d been vaccinated
‘Please make certain my youngsters get vaccinated’: Mom-of-four Lydia Rodriguez (heart), 42, who died of COVID-19 after being contaminated at week-long church camp, requested her sister to vow that her youngsters can be immunized towards the virus
Earlier than her passing on Monday, Rodriguez had made one closing request throughout a telephone name to her sister: ‘Please make certain my youngsters get vaccinated.’
Two weeks previous to her demise, the mom of 4 misplaced her husband, Lawrence, 49, from coronavirus issues with them in the identical intensive care unit.
The couple, who have been married for 21 years, have been among the many thousands and thousands of People, who didn’t obtain the coronavirus vaccine, which is accessible to anybody over the age of 12.
Well being officers have careworn that the vaccine considerably lowers one’s likelihood of growing issues from the virus.
Dad and mom Lydia and Lawrence Rodriguez died from COVID-19 inside weeks of one another, forsaking their 4 youngsters: 18-year-old twins (prime), a 16-year-old boy (backside left) and an 11-year-old woman (backside proper)
The tragic story of the Rodriguez household displays that of different unvaccinated sufferers who request docs for vaccine after COVID-19 severely impacts their well being.
‘Lydia has by no means actually believed in vaccines,’ Jones, 55, advised The Publish.
The case of the Rodriguez household displays that of different unvaccinated sufferers
‘She believed that she might deal with the whole lot on her personal, that you simply did not actually need drugs.’
Jones, a neonatal nurse might have provided her cousin with limitless quantities of knowledge on the advantages of the vaccine however it was at all times going to be a tough promote:
‘I knew she would by no means get vaccinated,’ Jones mentioned. ‘I used to be very involved.’
Rodriguez’s husband, who additionally did not consider within the effectiveness of vaccines, additionally declined to get the jab, reported The Publish.
In early July, days after Rodriguez and her youngsters returned from a Christian church retreat, the household fell in poor health.
In a brief period of time, your entire household caught COVID-19, together with Rodriguez’s husband, who didn’t attend camp on account of work.
Rodriguez was admitted to the ICU on July 12, and her husband was admitted to a different ward, Jones mentioned.
Texas, which has a 50-60% vaccination price, is among the many southern states that has seen its variety of new each day infections rise for the reason that delta variant hit the U.S.
By then, the remainder of the household ran errands and took care of the couple’s 4 youngsters whereas they have been quarantining at residence after catching the virus from their mother and father.
The youngest baby was the one one to expertise gentle signs whereas the opposite three have been asymptomatic. in accordance The Publish.
Lawrence Rodriguez requested a vaccine earlier than being placed on a ventilator, however it was additionally too late for him and he died on August 2.
On the time, Lydia Rodriguez was on an oxygen masks that prevented her from speaking to her youngsters.
‘We’re praying for you and taking good care of the youngsters,’ Jones recalled telling her cousin, in accordance with The Publish.
Hospital workers referred to as the household on August 16 to report that Rodriguez had handed away. Two days later, Wednesday, would have been her forty third birthday.
The household made positive to to honor Rodriguez’s final want.
The couple’s eldest youngsters, 18-year-old twins, have since been vaccinated, the 16-year-old son will quickly be vaccinated and they’re going to additionally schedule an appointment for the 11-year-old daughter as quickly as she turns age 12.
‘Our hearts are simply damaged,’ Jones advised ABC 13.
‘We damage for the youngsters. Please vaccinate. It’s our want that no different household must endure this preventable situation.
A fundraiser arrange by Jones for the Rodriguez household, who’re reportedly now within the care of prolonged household, which has – as of Wednesday – collected practically $50,000.43.