A Florida teenager was helped by construction workers to say goodbye at the hospital to her mother, who was suffering from COVID-19.
Jordyn Alvarez was helped to the hospital roof by workers so that she could view her mother from the outside.
First Coast News' 17-year old told First Coast News that her last words to mom were via FaceTime.
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Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida in March 2020. Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images
Florida construction workers helped a teenager to say goodbye to her mother. She was in hospice care and could not be visited.
Jayden Arbelaez (17), said that his last words to mom were via FaceTime. She hoped that no child will have to experience that.
Michelle Arbelaez, her mother, died from COVID-19 on August 8, just 15 days after she was admitted to Ascension St. Vincent's Southside Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida. First Coast News reported. She was 53 years of age.
Arbelaez spent an hour waiting outside the hospital the day her mother died. Her father was still inside the hospital, visiting her. First Coast News reported that only one person was allowed into the hospital room.
Jayden said that he saw construction workers when he looked up. I told them about the situation. "My mom was about to die," I replied. Is there a way I can reach that window?
According to First Coast News, the workers provided safety gear for her, including a hardhat, and took her to the top of the building to reach her mother's window.
Jayden's father Mitch Arbelaez told the outlet that he was visiting his wife and playing worship music, praying for him, stroking Jayden's hair, and telling him how much he loves her. "I hear a knock at the window, and Jayden is there in a hardhat, safety vest, and rubber boots."
The family called the outlet and prayed together.
According to First Coast News, Jayden stated that while it was difficult to be there to hold her hand during her final day, those final hours, at least I was able to look out the window and see my dad and she, which was a great feeling.
Continue the story
This family is one of hundreds calling for Florida Governor. First Coast News reported that Ron DeSantis should intervene to allow families to visit loved ones who are in hospital and dying from COVID-19.
"I don’t believe any disease or transmissible illness should be used to keep loved ones away from their loved ones when they are in critical stages. First Coast News spoke out against this notion.
In a statement, the hospital stated that it was sticking to its policy. First Coast News.
A spokesperson for Ascension St. Vincent's Southside Hospital stated that they do all possible to accommodate visitors within our existing policies and procedures.
They stated that safety and health are top priorities for all of them. We have strict infection prevention protocols in place that follow the guidance of government health officials, including the CDC or Florida Department of Health. We constantly adjust our policies and protocols to keep up with the rapidly changing environment.
Insider has the original article.
