THE son of a frontline Covid-19 nurse has urged people to follow lockdown rules after his mum lost her husband to the virus suddenly within two weeks.
Jacqui Burman from Haywards Heath has worked at the Princess Royal Hospital in the town for the past 22 years.
The 57-year-old was celebrating with her husband Ian Burman on his birthday just last month, on December 10.
But Ian, also 57, was admitted to hospital with coronavirus just before Christmas and died in intensive care on Tuesday, January 5.
Jacqui’s son Oliver Frost said: “My mum met Ian about six years ago and they were engaged within three months.
“They were just so happy during the time they were together. My mum had waited a long time to find the right person.
“For that to be taken away by this is very, very hard.”
Oliver, from Burgess Hill, said his mum carried on working at the hospital but was unable to see her husband as his condition worsened, due to safety measures in place.
He said: “My mum saw him healthy, then he got sick and went into hospital and the next time she saw him it was the end. She held his hand while he was asleep.
“I just want to encourage people to follow the rules wherever they can and keep the NHS in mind at all times.
“My mum has back pain and she can’t work full time, so her pay is pretty low. I’ve suggested getting a different job but she doesn’t like the idea because she just loves her work and she loves helping people.”
Jacqui’s colleagues at the Princess Royal have rallied around to support her.
Laura Elmes, a fellow nurse on the respiratory ward, set up a crowdfunding campaign to help with Ian’s funeral costs.
The GoFundMe page has already raised £2,532.
Laura said: “Jacqui has not asked for help.
"The donations of this fundraiser will not bring Ian back or undo the pain that Jacqui and her family are facing right now, but the financial support alleviates some of the stress associated with funeral expenses.
“The sense of community has been incredible so far. Every donation will make a positive difference.”
The 36-year-old nurse described a “sad and frightening time” for healthcare workers.
She said: “Every time we go to work, we not only risk our own lives - we risk the lives of our families, too.
“We have to put on a brave face for the relatives of the people we care for because the public look up to us for support.
“But it is incredibly difficult when that same beacon of support is dealing with their own personal loss, as it is a constant reminder of one’s own grief.
“Jacqui is in that position where she has done so much to help people. It’s such a blow to care for people and give your all and then to pay the price.”
She said it is “heart-wrenching” relatives are unable to see their loved ones on Covid-19 wards until they are declared ‘end of life’ patients, due to the risks involved for those wanting to visit.
She said: “We’ve actually made these crochet hearts for families and little hearts to pin on the patient who is dying, as a symbol that they are together, even though they can’t be physically.
“It just makes that little connection.”
Laura added that for NHS staff and those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19, seeing people break the lockdown rules is “like a kick in the heart” .
She said: “Instead of clapping for the NHS, please spare a thought for the families of the people who have lost their loved ones to this devastating virus.
“You can pay your respects by following the rules and staying at home.”
To donate to the fundraising campaign for Jacqui set up by Laura and other colleagues at the Princess Royal, visit the GoFundMe page here.
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