Husband who thought coronavirus was a ‘fake crisis’ has lost his pastor wife to virus after ignoring rules
A FLORIDA woman died after contracting coronavirus after she and her husband believed internet claims that the virus was a hoax.
According to BBC, Brian Lee Hitchens and his wife Erin did not follow any health guidance related to coronavirus even though Erin suffered from asthma and a sleeping disorder.
The couple was diagnosed with coronavirus in May after reading claims that it was “fabricated, linked to 5G or similar to the flu.”
Erin, a pastor in Florida, died at age 46 earlier this month from heart problems related to coronavirus.
Brian, a taxi driver, told BBC that they did not follow health and social distancing guidelines early during the pandemic because of false claims seen online.
He still worked and collected his wife’s medicine without wearing a mask or social distancing.
“This is a real virus that affects people differently,” he said. “I can’t change the past. I can only live in today and make better choices for the future.”
Brian told BBC that he wished he listened in the beginning and hopes his wife forgives him.
“She’s no longer suffering, but in peace. I go through times missing her, but I know she’s in a better place.”
When diagnosed with the virus, Brian warned others on Facebook of how he and his wife were misled by false information.
“Many people still think that the Coronavirus is a fake crisis which at one time I did too and not that I thought it wasn’t a real virus going around but at one time I felt that it was blown out of proportion and it wasn’t that serious,” he wrote.
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“This thing is nothing to be messed with please listen to the authorities and heed the advice of the experts,” Brian added. “We don’t have to fear this and by heeding the advice doesn’t mean that you fear it that means you’re showing wisdom during this epidemic time.”
Brian told Facebook users that he should have worn a mask “in the beginning” and knows that he gave the virus to his wife.
“So just think about what I said and if you have to go out please use wisdom and don’t be foolish like I was so the same so the same thing won’t happen to you like it happened to me and my wife.”
Brian started a GoFundMe in May to help raise money for the medical fees he and his wife faced after being hospitalized.