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One Virginia couple refused to take COVID-19 and died of the disease leaving behind their four children.
Misty Mitchem and Kevin, both in their 40s refused the COVID-19 vaccination despite being urged by their families.
Kevin's mother said that Kevin's last words to her were "Mom. I love you. And I wish I could have gotten the shot."
Two weeks later, a couple from Virginia who refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19 succumbed to the disease. Their four children, as well as their relatives, who tried to encourage them to get vaccinated against COVID-19, are their survivors.
Kevin and Misty Mitchem were both infected with COVID-19. They were admitted to hospital after they decided not to get it.
They were just being cautious. "They were relying on what they had heard and read online," Kevin Mitchem, Kevin’s brother, said to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Insider reached Mike Mitchem for comment but he did not respond immediately.
The CDC data has shown that Moderna and Pfizer's two-shot vaccine series have been highly effective in preventing COVID-19. According to CDC data, approximately 61.9% Virginians are fully vaccinated. This compares to 56.8% in the U.S.
Mike said that Kevin, 48, fell ill after he was tested positive for COVID-19. Mike informed the Times-Dispatch. Misty, a 46-year-old woman living with diabetes, became ill shortly after.
Misty was taken to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, where she was placed on a ventilator. According to the Times-Dispatch, she died shortly thereafter on September 23rd.
Mike said to the outlet, "It really happened out of nowhere."
According to NBC 4, Kevin's father Don Mitchem said that Kevin called him when Misty was at the hospital, and later when he went by himself. Don visited Kevin at the hospital before he was placed on a ventilator.
Don said that he heard Don say, "Dad, you're scared to death," and added that he had told Kevin to call Terry, his mother.
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Terry said that he called Terry and said, "Mom, he loves you and I wish I'd gotten the shot," Terry shared with NBC 4. "Of course, I told him that it was past. It's past.
Terry and Don had already received their COVID-19 booster shots. Terry tried to convince Kevin, Misty and Misty to get vaccinated.
Mike said that Kevin was active and healthy, but COVID-19 had irreparable damage to his lungs. The Times-Dispatch reported. He died October 8.
Mike stated that he was angry at his brother's passing.
Mike said to the Times-Dispatch that anger is a part of our pain. "Anger is because people are still missing the vaccine."
Kevin and Misty have four children between the ages of 11 and 17. Kevin also had a grandchild and an older daughter.
Mike said that his brother had "everything to live for" in a statement to the Times-Dispatch. "He had five children and a grandchild, and all of them have lost him."
Insider has the original article.
