Former Salinas councilman shares message to community after the loss of his mother due to COVID-19
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Words of warning and sorrow from a former Salians city councilman after his mother passed away from COVID-19 just last week.
Now, Sergio Sanchez is trying to share his story in hopes that others may listen and take action.
"You could bring this to your family and it's deadly, and it's a killer, it's very serious. And people need to take that very seriously," said Sanchez.
The emotions are still fresh over the loss of Cruz Torres Sanchez, who herself was a two-time cancer survivor. This all started at the beginning of November when she tested positive for COVID-19.
"That's the worst thing of this.. you can't see them, you can't comfort them, you can't do anything for them. And that really hurts you and hurts the entire family because this is someone that you love and respect and we want to be near them because this is the worst time of their lives and will she die alone?" said Sanchez.
Sanchez tells KION his mother did not want to go to the hospital. She was scared. She already survived two bouts of cancer and even two heart attacks. She was confident she could beat COVID-19 too.
But Sanchez says his mom's symptoms were worsening at the outset, where she experienced shortness of breath and eventually pneumonia-like issues. She was transported to Hanford Adventist Hospital in the San Joaquin Valley where she lived in Fresno County.
"Within hours, because her oxygen level had dropped so badly, that she needed to be sedated and intubated and put on a ventilator," said Sanchez.
Sanchez says he felt helpless in the days before his mother died. He says he is usually known as a fixer, helping others out in their times of trial. But there was nothing he could do for his own mom.
Cruz Torres Sanchez passed away in the hospital on Monday, Nov. 23. She was 72 years old. She leaves behind her family along with two brand new grandkids. Sanchez says his mother likely contracted the virus from a member of her household, who is an essential worker and also tested positive.
But he has a message for us still living in a COVID-19 pandemic worlds, especially to the youth who might be having parties or hanging out with friends.
"If you love your mom, your grandma, your grandpa, your older uncles or aunts, don't that. If you don't for yourself, do it for them," said Sanchez.
Sanchez says the family is still working out funeral plans for his mother. But his brother has also contracted COVID-19 and is in the hospital right now. He is hoping his brother will recover in time to say goodbye to their mom.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: A former Salinas city councilman is sharing his story and a message to the community after he lost his mother to COVID-19 last month.
Sergio Sanchez says his mother, Cruz Torres Sanchez, contracted coronavirus from another family member and subsequently had to go to the hospital to help with breathing. She ultimately died for COVID-19.
KION's Josh Kristianto will have more tonight at 5 and 6 p.m on how this has affected his family and why Sanchez believes it's important to get the word out.
