I didn’t want to have a story to contribute to the growing pleas to people to stay home. But I do. A few days ago my mom called me to tell me that her brother-in-law, in his 70s, had the virus and that he was in the hospital. He was doing okay, tho, and he’d be going home soon.

My aunt, his wife, was at home showing no symptoms, and my cousin, their daughter, who drove my uncle to the hospital, had a low grade fever but was doing okay. The day after my mom told me this, my aunt fell & broke her leg at home. She had to be taken to the hospital for

Surgery. She got through the surgery, and while in recovery they told her she tested positive for the virus. She had no symptoms tho, and just last night they said she was doing well and didn’t need to be on oxygen. Then overnight, her oxygen sats started dropping. This morning,

My mom got the call that her only living sister is on the ventilator because the virus took over that quickly. My aunt is in her late 70s, and the helplessness in my mom’s voice is heartbreaking. She can’t see her sister, and my cousin can’t see her mom. Please, please stay home.

Prevent this from happening to more people. People who have COVID-19 can look and feel mostly fine until they don’t, until they crash. It’s not a joke; it’s not a conspiracy. It’s real. Stay home.

I’m sad to have to add to this thread. This afternoon my aunt was taken off the ventilator and passed away. Please stop congregating with groups of more than ten people. Please don’t go to stores or anything unless you need to. Be smart and safe.