Family recovers from covid19, needs school supplies for children

SIX members of a family who spent a month in hospital after contracting covid19 are asking for help from the public to get school supplies for two of three children.

The mother of the household asked that her family not be identified. She spoke with Newsday on Thursday. The 36-year-old woman said since leaving hospital on August 26, the family had used up all its savings and are unable to buy school supplies, including electronic devices to facilitate online learning.

While they were being treated, the father – a taxi driver – had the vehicle he was driving for someone taken away. His wife’s car, which was bought in March, repaired and repainted two weeks before they were hospitalised, was vandalised.

The mother said, “I am good. I am a strong woman. I am a spiritual person. I get my strength from God.”

Although strong, she looks on as her eldest son exhibits signs of what she describes as depression. The 13-year-old was supposed to write the Secondary Entrance Assessment examination on August 20, but with his covid19 status he had to do it later. She said her son was first hoping to sit the exam at the end of September, but on August 28 he was told the exam will be on September 1.

“He got a copy of the original exam and he found it to be easy, so we were preparing him for the exam at the end of September. His teacher and a friend of mine, who is also a teacher, were offering help. But then they came and changed (the date).

"He didn’t complete the math exam and lost 20 marks. He is really taking that on because he so wanted to make me proud and pass for his first choice of Trinity College.”

Her husband, she said, being the typical proud man, has not expressed his feelings but, at times, she catches glimpses of him looking “sad, down and disappointed.” She knows his pain at having lost their source of income, and all the baggage that came with it.

People in the community claimed the car was not sanitised, and some threatened to beat the new driver as a result. Others advised travellers to use another car.

Thinking ahead, the couple had purchased an old maxi taxi earlier this year with the intention of repairing it so that the husband will no longer need to drive someone else's vehicle. That is expected to cost them at least $15,000, and there is another $5,000 outstanding for the repairs to the vandalised car.

The children are looking forward to school, just to bring some normality back to their lives. When their mother leaves home they warn her not to return with covid19: a joke to some, but she knows it is their way to express their pain and frustration of having their lives upended.

The woman did catering before she, her husband, their three young sons and her 62-year-old mother-in-law were hospitalised.

“I will start back next month. I believe people need time to allow things to settle down and I want people to give me time as well. I also have to consider if to continue the catering or look for another job.”

Her contemplation comes at a time when she has been ostracised by both family and friends who have kept their distance. Check-up calls have dwindled while visits to her home are non-existent. She has been warned not to visit her father who stays outside the family's gate and speaks with her and the family.

Her husband, youngest son and mother-in-law were tested and given negative test results while the rest of the family were discharged without a negative result and told to isolate at home for seven days since they were showing no symptoms. That time has since passed and she awaits the confirmed negative results for her and the rest of the family in the hopes that it will ease the family’s anxiety and perhaps cause others to be more open with them.

She asked that people not discriminate against those who survived covid19, and for those who do not have the virus to be vigilant and obey the health protocols.

“I am happy to be home. I left with everyone and returned with everyone even though my mother-in-law and my husband have underlying health issues.”

Anyone willing to assist the family can reach them at 267-1431.