They thought they did everything right. But after a simple family visit for an at-home haircut, Mike and Carol Bruno died of Covid-19
But a simple family visit to get a haircut claimed both of their lives.
Bruno hopes his family’s grief serves as an important reminder of how easy it can be to contract Covid-19, no matter how safe you are.
Precautions fall through
In late November, Bruno’s mother, Carol Bruno, came over to his apartment with his sister so his sister could give him a haircut. Prior to the visit, his sister, who works in a salon, had taken a Covid-19 test which had come back negative. She had also quarantined for three to four days — a sign the family took to mean that it was safe to be around her.
His mother, on the other hand, hadn’t been out much during the pandemic at all.
Throughout the visit, which lasted about 40 minutes, the Brunos wore masks and avoided hugs, Bruno explained. They also made sure their mother sat next to the windows which they had opened as an extra precaution.
A day after the visit, Bruno’s sister started displaying symptoms of Covid-19. Mother and son started feeling unwell soon after.
One visit turns into tragedy
Carol Bruno, the mother, was admitted to the hospital on Thanksgiving Day, but was discharged that week as her condition improved. Two days later, she returned to the hospital where she was put on a ventilator.
Then, her husband got sick.
Mike Bruno didn’t even accompany his wife and daughter to see his son, but started experiencing symptoms and was admitted to a hospital about two weeks after Thanksgiving, according to Bruno.
A day after her husband was put on a ventilator, Carol passed away. Nine days later, two days before Christmas, Mike followed.
All it took was a simple choice after months of caution, a choice they thought was safe.
“Had I made that sacrifice and, you know, didn’t spend, you know, 30-40 minutes with my mom — they would still be here,” Bruno said.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the total US coronavirus death toll.
