Family's desperate wish after boy, 13, dies from coronavirus
A 13-year-old boy has tragically died after suffering complications related to the coronavirus.
Peyton Baumgarth died on October 31, making him the first casualty of the virus under the age of 18 in the US state of Missouri.
The young boy is just one of many victims in the US, with the country leading the world with more than nine million cases and 230,700 deaths.
The boy’s uncle, Wayne Franek Jr, told KDSK the family didn’t realise the severity of the coronavirus until the worst happened.
“We thought this was a passing, nothing worse than the common flu, and obviously that’s not the case,” he said.
He added the eighth-grader was close with his mother, who had also been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
“I can’t imagine what she’s going through,” Mr Franek said.
“Nobody should ever have to deal with that.”
Family’s wish after teen’s death
A GoFundMe page paying tribute to the teen described him as a “wonderful young man who always had a smile to share with you”.
“He was so very sweet and caring and FUN. He loved Christmas, video games, and enjoyed making YouTube videos, playing Pokemon GO, playing football and being with his family,” the GoFundMe page said.
“This is a devastating loss that leaves a tremendous hole in the heart of every person that knew Peyton.”
The family also had one wish following Peyton’s death – for people to wear masks to protect themselves and each other from the virus to honour the boy’s memory.
The GoFundMe page has been launched to help the boy’s parents who have been left with huge medical bills as well as funeral expenses and the loss of pay due to having time off work.
More than $A22,000 has been raised is less than 24 hours.
Many left tributes on the fundraising page, with one saying they hoped people began to realise the impact the coronavirus had on people of all ages.
“It’s easy to wear a mask and social distance. It may not be fun or ‘normal’, but it could save a life,” one wrote.
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