Kids We’ve Lost to COVID-19

This is Part Three of a Four-Part Series Honoring the Lives We’ve Lost to COVID-19

Being a parent during a worldwide pandemic is an incredible challenge on the best of days, and absolutely terrifying on the worst. But most parents can breathe a little easier knowing that the vast majority of kids who get sick with COVID-19 have mild or moderate symptoms, if any, and recover fully. The vast majority—but not all.

Some children who have tested positive for COVID-19 have suffered lingering symptoms and required hospitalization. Also alarming is the new inflammatory syndrome called PMIS (pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome, also known as MIS-C) which has symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease. PMIS was first recognized by doctors in the U.K. in late April before cases were identified in the U.S., including New York, which now has 237 reported cases. Children in other states have also been diagnosed with PMIS, which can lead to heart attacks and multisystem organ failure.

Although the U.S. government is pushing to reopen schools this fall, it is still unclear how susceptible children are to the virus or how easily they act as vectors in the spread of the contagion, not only putting other children at risk, but their teachers as well.

Even with schools shut down since March, 63 American children have died of COVID-19-associated illnesses. Many had preexisting conditions that made them especially susceptible to the virus, while others suffered rare, but deadly side effects. With the virus surging in many parts of the country, it is likely we will lose more children, even if school openings are delayed.

  • Jaquan Anderson
  • Carsyn Leigh Davis
  • Charlotte Figi (Charlotte’s Web)
  • Ernesto Guzman (GoFundMe)

Some of America’s Youngest Victims of COVID-19:

  • Jaquan Anderson, 17, Louisiana – Seventeen-year-old Jaquan was still able to attend football practice at school when “he developed severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting”. He died March 22 of lymphohistiocytic and eosinophilic myocarditis which was linked to COVID-19. He tested positive for the novel coronavirus and had no other conditions that could have triggered his fatal heart swelling. Jaquan was fun-loving and dreamed of making it to the NFL so he could take care of his mom and dad.
  • Carsyn Leigh Davis, 17, Florida – The cancer-survivor who had an autoimmune disorder went to a church party where masks and social distancing were not enforced. When Carsyn contracted COVID-19, her parents gave her hydroxychloroquine, which has been linked to serious complications in patients who have the novel coronavirus. She was an honor student who volunteered with organizations like the Special Olympics and died only two days after she turned 17.
  • Charlotte Figi, 13, Colorado – When she was only six years old, Charlotte became the face of the CBD movement when she was profiled in the 2013 documentary, Weed. A strain of low-THC, high-CBD cannabis made her Dravet syndrome (a severe form of epilepsy) manageable, and although she wasn’t expected to live past age 8, Charlotte lived until age 13 when she died of complications from pneumonia and a suspected case of COVID-19.
  • Ernesto Guzman, 12, Illinois – According to Time, sixth-grader Ernesto “loved Fortnite, spending time with his friends, and a good joke.” He suffered from a rare genetic nerve condition known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, as well as asthma and sleep apnea. He died from pneumonia caused by COVID-19. A GoFundMe page set up in his honor raised more than $29,000.
  • Skylar Herbert, 5, Michigan – Five-year-old Skylar developed meningoencephalitis, a rare complication of COVID-19, and has become one of Michigan’s—and America’s—youngest victims. This “beautifully affectionate” child loved shiny things and dressing up, and she wanted to become a pediatric dentist when she grew up. She was daughter to two first-responders—a police officer and a firefighter—and members of the church she attended said Skylar “touched our hearts with her cheerful spirit”.
  • Aurea Yolotzin Soto Morales, 8, North Carolina – Aurea’s indigenous Nahuatl name was chosen for its meaning “corazoncio de oro” (little heart of gold), but she was known as Yoshi to her family and friends. The 8-year-old was a playful, intelligent second grader who “loved the beach, playing in the snow, and dancing”. On May 29, Yoshi’s parents took her to the hospital where she was diagnosed with strep throat and COVID-19 and given prescriptions for both. On the way to the pharmacy, Yoshi began suffering seizures, and she later slipped into a coma. She was taken off life support on Monday, June 1, after suffering swelling in her brain, a rare complication of COVID-19.
  • Jaqueline Paisano, 16, Colorado – Jackie Paisano was loved by the students and educators at her Denver school, George Washington High. When she was 18-months-old, she suffered severe seizures caused by a brain tumor which left her unable to walk or talk, but she was thriving in high school where she “brought so much joy to everyone around her.” She loved music and dancing, and from her wheelchair, she could tap her foot to the beat as others danced around her. She wanted to be known as a sassy and strong person who was more than just her disability.
  • Daequan Wimberly, 11, Florida – At 18-months-old, Daequan became the medical foster child of Bishop Jerry Lee Wimberly and was adopted by the widower four years later. Daequan had serious health issues that required dialysis three times a week, but he was a happy child who loved being a part of his father’s Miami church. Daequan was charismatic and loved dressing up, and when he died on June 30, he became Florida’s youngest-known fatality from COVID-19.
  • Skylar Herbert (LaVondria Herbert)
  • Aurea Yolotzin Soto Morales
  • Jacqueline Paisano
  • Daequan Wimberly

Far too many Americans have died, and even the most dedicated publications, like the New York Times’ Those We’ve Lost, can’t keep up with the thousands of lives that deserve tribute, mourning, and change. We can—and should—do better. We are already mourning more than 138,000 Americans. How many more will we lose before it’s over?

Read More About Others We’ve Lost to COVID-19:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *