In the wake of a loved one's death, there's much to be felt and said. When one woman suffered through her husband's death due to COVID-19, her powerful and emotional obituary went viral, resonating with many and serving as a pandemic rally cry.
In the wake of a loved one's death, there's much to be felt and said. When one woman suffered through her husband's death due to COVID-19, her powerful and emotional obituary went viral, resonating with many and serving as a pandemic rally cry.
Be it the isolation of quarantining at home, the worry of contracting it, or simply missing loved ones you're unable to see, there's a lot of tension in the air.
Those like Stacey Sylos Nagy of Jefferson, Texas, whose husband, David Nagy, contracted COVID-19 in early July.
David had been staying in a nursing home following an injury in March. That injury, alongside other health conditions he had, mixed with the fear of contracting COVID-19, meant it was likely safer for him to stay at the nursing home, which was agreed upon by Stacey and their son.
Well, as close to his side as she could, anyway. They tried many treatments, from Remdesivir to plasma therapy, and even placed him on a respirator.
"He was unconscious by then, but I told him I loved him and I cried," she said in an interview with Buzzfeed.
His family was devastated by the news. Stacey, though, felt more than just sorrow at the loss of her husband. She felt anger.
Published in local newspaper the Jesserson Jimplecute on July 30, she very clearly identifies who she believes is to blame for his death.
"Also to blame are the many ignorant, self-centered, and selfish people who refused to follow the advice of medical professionals, [...] Shame on all of you, and may Karma find you all!"
Rallying many supportive comments and posts, the obituary was spread across the internet with the hopes of it being a wake-up call to those continuing to not take COVID-19 seriously.
“There’s been thousands of other husbands and wives and fathers and mothers and brothers that have died.”
“The people who are dying are the older people especially—a lot of younger people are dying too—but it’s almost like they’re saying, ‘Who cares about the older people?’ I’ve been with my husband for 20 years and all of a sudden he’s gone. People should know how this makes others feel.”
"I was pissed. I was super pissed because it didn't have to happen and every time I think about it I get angry and cry," she said, "People running around not wearing masks when they should, people making masks a political thing when it isn't. It's life and death. It's not political. It's about people."
"If he saw the responses we're getting for the obituary and my fighting for him, I think he would be pretty proud of me, I really do," she said. "I think he's smiling right now because I'm fighting for him and all the other 'hims.'"
h/t: Bored Panda