The family of a dad who died from Covid without having a jab are using his funeral to promote the need to get vaccinated.
Marquis Davis, 28, reportedly wanted to get vaccinated after he had tested positive in July, having been wary initially.
The businessman from Florida began to quarantine at home but gradually his condition deteriorated, said his wife Charnese Davis.
She told ABC News: “He was losing his breath just by getting up. I was like this is not normal, you need extra help.”
It was at that point that Mr Davis went to a hospital and was put on a ventilator but his condition continued to deteriorate.
His wife said he told her when he recovered he would get vaccinated having initially been hesitant, but it wasn’t to be.
His family said that they wanted his funeral to be a Covid awareness event at their family church, the Faith Temple Christian Center in Rockledge.
“Now we’re seeing things completely shift with this Delta variant. [Marquis] was 28 years old, had the rest of his life in front of him, and because of COVID-19, specifically this Delta variant, and he was not vaccinated, his life was cut short,” said Dr R. Shaun Ferguson, the pastor of Faith Temple Christian Center.
“Our position as a church is let’s get this cut. Let’s do this. I don’t want to see another person lose their life, period.”
Dr Ferguson posted on Facebook dates that people could get vaccinated “without an appointment” at the centre in Rockledge.
There was plenty of support for vaccination initiative on Facebook.
One person wrote: "So sorry to hear about Marquis. Great tribute to him and his family.
"You are really a wonderful person to do this for your community and anyone who needs the vaccine and a blessing for the family. Sending prayers for his wife and child!"
Another said: "Shaun I just read the story of Mr Davis. I am so sorry to hear of his loss. May God bless his family. What a beautiful idea to continue his legacy of caring for others by offering the vaccine clinic today."
