Texan parents, Lawrence and Lydia Rodriguez, took precautions to avoid having COVID, but they were not ok with taking the new vaccines, said Lydia's cousin Dottie Jones.
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She noted that this decision was the reason why they both died, and concluded by saying she would make sure that her children get the vaccine.
Ms Jones said the couple is survived by an 18-year-old, a 16-year-old and an 11-year-old who all tested positive for the virus as well, but only showed little or no symptoms.
Lydia was hospitalised with COVID-19 over a month ago before dying last Monday. Her husband Lawrence also died of complications from COVID on August 2.
A bit skeptical
Ms Jones reiterated that they were simply skeptical of the vaccine, but they did what they could to avoid getting infected, by always wearing masks and not going out often.
She said:
Before she got intubated, one of the last things she told her sister was 'please make sure my children get vaccinated.’
They didn't believe in vaccines, and you try to talk to them, and she just didn't like that. Didn't trust it, I guess.
She would be there for her kids right now if she had been vaccinated.
The cousin of the couple said how she is frustrated to hear the many people who are speaking out against the vaccines.
Ms Jones added:
I just am tired of the anti-vax rhetoric that is causing so many, like my cousin and her family, to not get vaccinated.
A GoFundMe page was created by Ms Jones while the couple was in intensive care to help the family cushion the medical bills.
So far the crowdfunding page has raised $49,430 of its $50,000 goal.
