MANATEE COUNTY (WSNN) – As coronavirus spreads, more and more people are having some sort of ties to this deadly disease. One Manatee County family lost their mother to COVID-19, and now the son continues to fight for his life.
“She passed away in two days and we couldn’t say goodbye to her,” Monica Abundo said.
Two days were enough for Mónica Abundo’s mother, Mary Abundo, to pass away after contracting COVID-19. At first, they thought it was a complication of a pre-existing condition, but it was not.
“The doctors said she didn’t suffer much, but her asthma and medical conditions impacted her a lot,” Monica said. “And she lacked a lot of oxygen. It happened to her very fast. But, she was not vaccinated. We never thought it would affect her like this and for it to happen so quickly.”
Mary Abundo was 55 years old when she passed away on August 3rd. That same week, her son Valentín, who had not been vaccinated either, was admitted to the hospital after contracting the disease. Since then, he has been intubated and has been unresponsive for almost a month.
“Valentin is a single father,” Monica said. “He has 5 children and he has his own business that he has had for years. Here, the community loves and misses him. His phone rings and rings from his friends. And the sadness of his children, you cannot even imagine. “
The coronavirus has destroyed this family, who before did not see the vaccine as an option. But now…
“I have been vaccinated,” Monica said. “We have all gotten vaccinated.”
With a broken heart, Monica has a message for the Suncoast :
“Don’t think twice,” Monica said. “When you don’t expect it, it will happen to you. I think that it shouldn’t be an option, you *should* get vaccinated. Get vaccinated now, before it’s too late. Before it affects you and you lose someone you love.”
The regional hospital they’re at says they can’t do any more to help Valentin. The family is now hoping a spot becomes available at Tampa General Hospital.
*This story came from Telemundo 49. It was originally in Spanish, and it’s been translated to English.