Federal Labor MP Ged Kearney has revealed her father-in-law has died from coronavirus. The 82-year-old was the 30th person to die of the virus in Australia.
In a heartfelt post on Facebook, the Labor MP paid tribute to her late father-in-law, Mike, who died in Canberra Hospital on Saturday.
Kearney urged Australians not to let the number of Covid-19 deaths “just become nameless statistics”.
“Today I read in the news that Australia has recorded its 30th death from coronavirus. ‘Oh,’ you might say, ‘30 is OK compared to other countries’. But please, don’t let these figures just become nameless statistics to you.
“You see that 30th person was Mike, my father-in-law. My partner Leigh’s much loved and loving father.”
Kearney said her father-in-law had done his best to isolate but became ill quite suddenly, was admitted to hospital and died seven days later.
“I believe he only went outside a couple of times in the whole month to shop,” she wrote. “We actually teased him because he had bought 5kgs of rice and 10 tins of chickpeas and 10 cans of tomatoes — for just him and his lovely wife Wendy. Panic buying we said! But of course, it was the right thing to do.”
She went on to say that “death in the time of coronavirus is hard”.
“Now his Canberra family is in isolation and Wendy, nearly 80, must grieve on her own, in their house alone, away from hugs and kisses and tears and drinks and friends and family,” she wrote. “My heart breaks for her and her kids and my Leigh.”
Many Twitter users were quick to comment, with @aurbanowicz writing: “So important to remember the names and the people and not just the numbers and statistics. Reading this brought a tear to my eye. Sending lots of love to this family and their friends.”
@tom_r_davis added: “Sorry for your loss. Thank you for highlighting the importance of staying home. This virus knows no boundaries. Take care!”
While @therapist_au wrote: “Thank you for sharing this. My heart goes to everyone during this time.”