‘It’s too hard’: Family recounts life with COVID-19

Their journey towards separation all started back in April when Elpedio and Monaliza started feeling sick.

“For me I thought it was just like an ordinary flu because I only had headache and fever,” Enopia said.

But after being sent home from work and receiving a test, both tested positive for COVID-19.

“If you heard news, you see the TV especially in the other countries a lot of people die, so I cannot imagine if I am dying too,” Elpedio said.

“That is scary, yeah,” he said.

The family immigrated from the Philippines. Elpedio first came over in 2008 to work at the JBS meat plant. The rest of his family including his wife Monaliza joined him in 2012.

Word of the positive test, came as somewhat of a surprise, although Elpedio admits coworkers tested positive for the virus before he did.

For Monaliza she’s not entirely sure exactly how she contracted the virus.

“There is so many possibilities where I get that because I work in three jobs and I work in No frills and I work in AgeCare Sunrise Gardens so I don’t know where I got it any my husband works at JBS,” she said.

After receiving the positive test result, the family took swift action, self isolating in their townhouse for three weeks.

A positive test result also meant separating themselves from their teenage daughter, and putting her in the care of family friends while they recovered.

“It was hard because I have been living with them since I was young so I got used to getting up with them in the morning but since I got out of the house it was a whole different situation,” Ellozia said.

The virus has taken a bigger toll on Elpedio. He has recovered from COVID-19 but he is still dealing with a health issue that was impacted by the virus.

“It’s too hard, I was struggling . For me because I have high blood pressure, my high blood pressure was really impacted by the virus thats why I take time to recover, until now I’m not back to work,” he said.

Elpedio is now awaiting a number of test results.

“My family doctor is worried about my blood pressure because when I stand up and I’m not comfortable, like I stand up and I feel dizzy,” he said.

To make it through, the family has been relying on government assistance, and the support of the community. They receive food from the food bank and support through a Filipino group called Bayanihan in Brooks.

Now reunited, and survivors of a virus that has killed thousands, the family has immense gratitude and says they have so many blessings to count. The couple are just two of the 1047 recovered cases of COVID-19 in Brooks.

“We are so happy and we are so blessed that we are here in this country, during this pandemic,” Elpedio said.

by Tiffany Goodwein

‘It’s too hard’: Family recounts life with COVID-19

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