Couple Married for over 20 Years Die Just Hours Apart from COVID-19

A husband and wife died from COVID-19 hours apart, days short of what would have been their vaccination schedule, and left behind two teenage kids.

Many have suffered losses during the pandemic, including two teenage siblings who recently lost both parents only hours apart.

Martin and Trina Daniel were married for 20 years before succumbing to COVID-19. According to their nephew, Cornelius Daniel, the pair met while attending Savannah State University.

They decided to stay in the same area of Georgia after tying the knot and raised two children, Miles and Marina. In June 2021, Martin, Trina, Miles, and Marina all contracted COVID-19. They were all unvaccinated.

Cornelius said that the couple hesitated to get the vaccine immediately because of many factors. One of which was the Tuskegee Syphilis Study that showed syphilis progression in unknowing black men.

Martin had always been skeptical of vaccines, although Cornelius knew that his uncle trusted established vaccines such as those for polio.

Still, like many others, he wanted more studies about the COVID-19 vaccine as it was developed in a short period of time.

Eventually, Martin and Trina decided to get the vaccine and schedule their first shot in mid-July. Sadly, they passed away from the same illness the week prior.

The couple began feeling the symptoms at the end of June, and soon, it "spiraled out of control." Martin passed away in his home on July 6 while his wife was hospitalized and died that same evening.

Meanwhile, Miles and Marina, who both had the virus when their parents passed, sought treatment from the hospital on July 7 and did not reach severity. Cornelius said of their parents' death:

"We were already taken aback by his passing, but to have to endure the passing of her was traumatizing."

Miles and Marina are set on getting vaccinated, while Cornelius urges everyone to get immunized following the devastating incident.

The late couple's children are under the care of their extended family. Miles was just dropped off at his college while Marina is starting her sophomore year of high school.

"The only bullets we have right now in our gun are the vaccines," Cornelius said. "So I would prefer a vaccine over a ventilator every day. Too many families have already experienced the pain that we're feeling."

Meanwhile, Martin's niece and a nurse by profession, Quintella, said that it is important to get vaccinated. At work, she sees people die on ventilators while no one can save them.

"I just think that if my uncle and aunt were still here today, they probably would tell everyone to get vaccinated," she said.

Several vaccines have already been developed against the virus; among them is the brand Pfizer. According to studies, Pfizer successfully prevents the spread of the virus and is being used around the world.