HUDSON, Ohio — With the vaccine here in northeast Ohio hope is on the horizon, but COVID-19 also continues to make its way through the state.
Representative Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) and his wife Amanda knew something wasn’t quite right.
“A lot of aches, persistent headaches and pains, this really sharp pain in my neck that I’ve never had before for multiple days in a row,” said Weinstein.
They both tested positive for COVID-19 and have been quarantining in their Hudson home. Their young daughters are presumed positive, too.
“Our 3-year-old has had fever and headaches,” said Weinstein.
He’s not sure exactly how he got the virus.
“We tried to do everything right and we wore masks. We’ve been socially distanced.”
But after at least 5 of his colleagues at the state house also tested positive he has some ideas.
“I was down at the statehouse quite a bit and, unfortunately, not everyone was wearing a mask at the state house right now and I was, but it goes to show it really takes everybody doing their part,” he said.
He said he feels fortunate that he’s had rather mild symptoms, but has had a front row seat to just how contagious COVID-19 can be.
“What was really shocking is how fast it spread within my family,” he said. “My wife has had shortness of breath and fever and chills and trouble sleeping. One day she felt symptom-free and the next day was the worst day for her so its kind of unpredictable how it affects your body.”
He’s urging everyone to stay alert and be aware this Christmas.
“We are in the home stretch and almost through it, so I hope everyone can buckle down,” said Weinstein. “It is a very real thing. It is a very dangerous thing.”
He’s hoping his colleagues heed that advice, too.
“I hope that every representative will really take it seriously and really understand the gravity of it, especially after two of our colleagues just got out of the hospital and so many others are now exposed and having symptoms.”
