A British man woke up from a 10-month coma without any knowledge of COVID-19 pandemic – after contracting the virus twice while in hospital.
Joseph Flavill, 19, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car in Burton upon Trent, central England, on March 1, three weeks before the UK entered its first full coronavirus confinement.
Flavill he spent several months in a coma, but began to recover slowly, making small movements and answering yes and no to the blinking questions.
The 19-year-old contracted the virus twice while in a coma, but had a full recovery on each one.
Speaking for The Guardian, your aunt, Sally Flavill Smith said the 19-year-old was not aware of the pandemic that killed more than 2.2 million people worldwide.
“He will not know anything about the pandemic, as he has been sleeping for 10 months. His conscience is starting to improve now, but we just don’t know what he knows,” she said.
“I just don’t know where to start. A year ago, if someone had told me what was going to happen last year, I don’t think they would have believed it. I have no idea how Joseph is going to understand what we’ve all been through.”
Smith said the family tried to explain why they were only allowed to speak to him by video calls, but did not try to describe the magnitude of the pandemic.
“When he is awake in his room, he will have no idea why he is there. We talked about it over the phone and tried to warn him that we really want to be there hand in hand, but we are simply unable to do that.”
Smith added this FlavillSharon’s mother, was able to visit her son in person in December of her 19th birthday, although during social distance and wearing clothes PPE gear.
“At that point, Joseph was not as aware as he is now, and I think she felt very sad because she wasn’t sure if Joseph could even see who she was. She was waiting months to be able to go and see him,” said Smith.
The family set up an online fundraising campaign, Joseph’s Journey, to support the 19-year-old’s recovery. The campaign has raised more than £ 32,000 ($ 43,000).
“Thank you very much, to each of you for the incredible support over the past few months,” said a family update on January 31.
“All the messages and clips that people have sent have been incredible support for Sharon and Joe and, furthermore, through everyone’s generosity and time, we have raised an astonishing £ 32,909.”
The family was contacted for further comments.
Jeff J Mitchell / Getty