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The coronavirus ran through the MDOC’s Thumb Correctional Facility sparing very
few prisoners. I was one of the lucky ones not to be infected by this deadly
virus. Out of a ninety-six man pod, seventy plus men were infected. My cellmate
tested positive for the anti-bodies, but he showed no symptoms. On the compound
we had some deaths and some guys still suffering the long term effects of this
deadly virus. We were stuck in our unit, unable to go outside and get any fresh
air - just hoping and praying not to contract this virus.
I would sit in my cell noting the normal things a human body does, like coughing
or sneezing. I would wonder, “Is this it, do I have Covid-19?
It didn’t help matters the way it was handled at my facility. The nurses came
through daily asking if we were we sick. Of course, you know there wasn’t
anybody going to say they were sick. Some guys knew they were sick. It took
snitch kites to get them out of the unit. One particular inmate said he was glad
the kite told on him because if had he stayed any longer, he could have possibly
died. The virus was working on his vital organs slowly trying to kill him. That
individual is doing better, but still has shortness of breath.
Covid-19 wasn’t finished haunting me. I guess the virus said, “If I can’t get
you, I’m going to get someone very close to you - that being my seventy-one year
old elderly mother with diabetes.
Now, due to restrictions in my facility, we were not allowed out of our cell to
use the phone but twice a day and the schedule changed for odd and even cell
numbers. So my time out for calling was 6am and 2pm. Something was telling me to
get in touch with my mother. I had spoken with her a few days prior and she said
she wasn’t feeling good, was in bed and thought she had a cold. So, that set off
an alarm in my head, but I didn’t jump to any conclusion. So, the next day I
called on my time out of my cell and I didn’t get any answer, none that day. My
instincts were telling me something was wrong. I could barely sleep that night
waiting for 6am to use the phone. I called and she answered. I asked her if she
were okay and she said, “NO”. So I asked her what’s wrong and she said, “I don’t
know, I feel delusional.” Of course, I’m panicked. I didn’t want to get off the
phone with her, but I had to do something. I called my oldest daughter’s mother.
I told her to go over to my mom’s house because something was wrong with her.
With no hesitation she and my oldest daughter sprang into action. When they got
to her, they rushed her to the hospital in an ambulance. At that time no
visitors were allowed in the hospital. A day later I spoke with my daughter’s
mother and she gave me the bad news. My mother had Covid-19! I broke down in
tears. I was stuck in prison. I couldn’t speak to my mother. I couldn’t do
anything. I felt so helpless… I didn’t know what to do. So I did the next best
thing. I went into my cell and prayed for my mother. I asked God not to take her
away.
He answered my prayers. She was in the hospital for 4-5 days and released. She
has recovered but still has a hard time with her memory. But she’s still here
and alive and healthy for a 71 year old lady. That was the biggest scare of my
life to think I would lose my mom to that nasty virus. I wouldn’t be able to see
her again. My mom is a fighter. She didn’t let that virus take her out. If she
has that much fight in her 71 year old body, I’m going to have that same fight
and more to regain my freedom.
Also, if you are employed by the DOC across the U.S. tell your friends and
family to wear a mask. It saves lives. Don’t be selfish. That elderly lady could
be your mother. |