Just stay home! Son's plea as dad fights for life in Inverness hospital due to coronavirus
AN Inverness man has made a heartfelt plea for people to stay home and take government advice, as his father fights for life in hospital.
Paul White said his dad George, a bus driver with Stagecoach, is “extremely unwell” and sent a clear message to people in the Highlands to follow official advice during the coronavirus lockdown.
George (57), who lives in Inverness, was admitted to the city’s Raigmore Hospital with Covid-19 symptoms earlier this week and, at the time of going to press yesterday, remained gravely ill in intensive care, in an induced coma and on a ventilator.
Paul White said: “My dad has contracted Covid-19 and is extremely unwell, to a point where we aren’t sure what is going to happen. He is battling every day, and I’m so proud of him fighting this battle.
“He has been in an induced coma since Monday and on a ventilator. It’s day-by-day now, and we are hoping for the best every minute, but at the same time I have to realise the outcome we want may not happen either.”
George has been a bus driver with Stagecoach for more than 20 years and has been described as being the “life and soul” of a party.
Paul continued: “I want to share the story because it is the right thing to do just now, as people still aren’t taking it seriously enough. If we as a family can show partly how it affects us, then it may just make a difference in the fight against this horrible virus.
“I tend to keep a lot to myself, but when I see posts of idiots not taking this virus seriously and ignoring advice it makes me so mad.
“You may think it won’t happen to you, or anyone you know – but I’ll tell you this for nothing, when it does – it hits you so hard, not being able to talk to that person, visit or be there for them, knowing they are close.
“For the people still ignoring advice, stay home, be safe, and think of others, as you don’t know if, or when, it will effect you.
“Take the advice. Stay home, help the key workers and the front line in the hospital. They are saving lives in this fight. It could be you, if you choose to ignore.
“I can’t thank, or will ever be able thank, the hospital enough for all they are doing for my dad.
“Love him to bits, have everything crossed that he pulls through.”
He continued: “After I made a plea online for people to stay safe, it’s been amazing to see all of the positive comments, and knowing that he is so well liked and respected by so many.
“We all miss him, and are keeping positive for him to overcome this and to be back as the life and soul of the party.
“We all love him and can’t wait to see him again.”
A spokeswoman for Stagecoach Highlands said: “The thoughts of everyone at Stagecoach are with George, his family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”
