A couple in their 40s who refused to get vaccinated against Covid-19 have died of the virus within two weeks of each other, leaving behind five children and a grandson.
Kevin, 48, and Misty Mitchem, 46, on their death beds regretted not getting vaccinated, according to their loved ones who had urged them to get the jab.
‘He called me up (from the hospital) and said, “Mom, I love you and I wish that I’d got the shot”,’ Kevin’s mother Terry Mitchem told NBC Washington. ‘Of course I told him, “It’s past. You can’t do anything about it”.’
Kevin developed a cough in September and went to an urgent care facility in Stafford County, then went home with cold medicine. But Kevin returned to the facility several days later because his condition did not improve, and tested positive for the coronavirus, his brother Mike Mitchem said.
Misty, a medical transcriptionist who refused to get the Covid-19 shot because she had diabetes, also began feeling sick. She was admitted to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and treated for the coronavirus.
‘Kevin called me on a Monday and said, “Misty’s in the hospital”,’ said Kevin’s father Don Mitchem. ‘They say she’s got COVID. They automatically put her on a ventilator she was so bad.’
Misty was unable to breathe on her own within a days of being hospitalized and her kidneys functioned at only 50%.
Kevin was admitted to the same hospital the following day – when doctors told the family Misty had less than 24 hours to live. She died the next day, on September 23.
Kevin, who had no preexisting health conditions, died on October 8.
Don said he tried to pesuade his son to get vaccinated, to no avail.
‘We’d just say, “Hey, Kevin let’s get the shot, buddy. It’s not going to hurt you”,’ Don said.
He recalled Kevin replying: ‘Oh, I know. I’m alright. I’m not going to get the shot. I don’t need it.’
The couple are survived by their four children: Riley, 17; Leah, 14; and twins Aiden and Taylor, 11. Kevin also has a daughter from a past relationship, Angel, 22, whose child Lincoln will turn two years old next month.