Mantra Nguyen, a medical staff member, sets up a ventilator to support a patient at the COVID-19 ICU (ICU) at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas on December 29, 2020. Go Nakamura/Getty Images
For about a month, a Texas man was hospitalized with COVID-19 after protesting against the use of face masks.
Caleb Wallace was admitted at the hospital after developing symptoms of the virus in July, according to the San Angelo Standard-Times.
According to his wife, he was being transferred from the hospital to hospice on Saturday.
For more stories, visit Insider's homepage.
According to reports, a Texas anti-masker who organized protests against COVID-19 guidelines for pandemics has been fighting for his health in hospital for almost a month since contracting the virus.
Caleb Wallace (30-year-old father of 3 children) began showing symptoms on July 26. He initially refused to go to the hospital to be treated, according to Jessica, his wife. He was instead taking aspirin, vitamin C, and ivermectin.
Just a few days later, he was transferred to Shannon Medical Center on July 30. His condition worsened and he was placed on an ICU ventilator earlier in the month.
Jessica, who is expecting her fourth child in September, set up a GoFundMe to raise more than $35,000 for Wallace's medical bills. On the fundraiser and on her Facebook page, she has been updating her husband's health status.
Caleb won't be able to make it any longer. He will be moved into comfort care tomorrow and I will be there with him until the time comes for him to return to our father, in heaven," Jessica posted in a GoFundMe update on Friday. I appreciate everyone, the good and bad. Caleb once stood up for his beliefs and gave his all to ensure that everyone has the right they feel. Although he was imperfect, he loved his family and his girls more than anything.
According to The Huff Post, Wallace organized the Freedom Rally protests in July 2020 against "government being in control over our lives".
Continue the story
According to San Angelo LIVE!, he is also credited with being the founder of San Angelo Freedom Defenders. He orchestrated a rally "to stop COVID tyranny." The Standard-Times.
According to the Standard-Times, Wallace also wrote a letter asking the San Angelo Independent Schools District to change their COVID-related guidelines.
Jessica updated the New York Times on her husband's condition Saturday. She said that her husband would be transferred at hospice to the hospital and that the family would say their last goodbyes.
Texas was heavily affected by the rise in COVID-19-related cases. This has led some hospitals to scramble, as ICU beds in Texas are still in the single digits.
According to Texas Tribune, officials from the health sector have warned that Texas is experiencing a "worst surge in sheer number" as unvaccinated people make up the majority of hospitalizations. According to the New York Times, 47% of residents are fully vaccinated.
Insider has the original article.
