Galveston’s mother pleads before she dies of COVID-19

GALVESTON, Texas – An unvaccinated Galveston couple died of COVID-19 complications a few weeks apart at a local hospital, but not without leaving any message for their four children.

According to a Washington Post report, Lydia Rodriguez, her husband Lawrence Rodriguez and all their children tested positive for COVID-19 after a week-long church camp.

Lydia, 42, was admitted to the ICU on July 12 and her husband, 49, was admitted to another ward, according to The Post. The children were quarantined at home while other family members intervened to care for them.

The youngest child had mild symptoms, but the other three were asymptomatic, The Post reports.

Eventually, Lydia and Lawrence were placed in the intensive care unit, battling the virus a few feet away, according to The Post.

Announcements

Lawrence died two weeks before Lydia, who succumbed to the virus on Monday, August 16, according to The Post. They left behind their four children, who are now orphans.

The couple had no intention of getting the vaccine at first. However, when Lydia changed her mind, it was too late, according to The Post.

“Lydia has never really believed in vaccines,” her cousin Dottie Jones, 55, told The Post. “She thought she could handle it all on her own, that she really didn’t need medication.”

Before Lydia died, she asked her sister to make a promise during her last phone call, “Make sure my kids get vaccinated.”

This message was conveyed to the twins of the 18-year-old couple, who also plan to schedule an appointment for their 11-year-old brother when he is eligible and for their 16-year-old brother to be vaccinated soon.

According to The Post, Lydia and Lawrence Rodriguez were married for 21 years and neither had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Announcements

With the Delta variant increasing throughout the state of Texas and across the country, health officials are calling for the best protection against COVID-19 to be the vaccine, which is free and available to anyone over the age of 12.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and where to schedule your appointment, click here.

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