A local nurse and volunteer firefighter had a difficult year witnessing COVID-19 firsthand. Now the couple is vaccinated and is expecting a baby boy.
Video transcription
– At the beginning of the pandemic, we met a suburban frontline couple after they both took the COVID-19. This morning, we checked with them again a story of hope for a better future.
GUNNAR HERMANN: Now they have more pillows and blankets than we do, then.
– Boss, [BARKING] Rocky, [WHINE] and misaligned [BARKS] feel that a big change is coming. With a month to go, Gunnar and Taylor Hermann are expecting their first child, a boy.
GUNNAR HERMANN: She put the pregnancy test in front of me and I thought she was going to pass out.
– Taylor, a nurse, and Gunnar, a volunteer firefighter, had a very difficult year.
TAYLOR HERMANN: It was also kind of stressful in a way, just because it’s not, this whole year with, like, politics and pandemic and everything, it was like what kind of world am I bringing my baby into that kind of thing.
– Both witnessed the tearing pain of losing patients to COVID and fought the virus alone for 11 months.
GUNNAR HERMANN: We are both fully recovering our sense of smell and taste. With you, I couldn’t get anywhere near peanut butter.
– They say they were blessed to suffer only mild symptoms. And if all that weren’t enough, one of his three rescues was diagnosed with cancer, needing really expensive treatments.
GUNNAR HERMANN: We love him to death, and I mean, he is one, he is our smelly Beagle.
TAYLOR HERMANN: If we can get him, we just want another summer with him.
GUNNAR HERMANN: Yes, we just want him to meet his baby.
– Rocky is now in remission, and as the couple prepare for their son’s arrival, they are surrounded by friends and family support, which includes a safe trip with COVID and a baby shower.
TAYLOR HERMANN: Everyone was so positive and inspiring, and like, you know, no matter what happened this year, there is something good that came out of it.
– Taylor tells us that he had the vaccine during pregnancy and hopes that those who can get it will do so. We want to thank Taylor and Gunnar for everything they are doing and, of course, we wish them all the best.