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She Was More Than a Statistic in a Pandemic: ‘We Didn’t Want Her to Get Lost’ She Was More Than a Statistic in a Pandemic: ‘We Didn’t Want Her to Get Lost’
(1 day later)
This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic.This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic.
Her name was Loretta, but they called her Lettie. She stood 4 feet 10 inches tall. She was outrageously friendly, the kind of person liable to invite the sales clerk at T-Mobile to join the family for dinner. This made her children cringe but was also something they loved. Pure Lettie.Her name was Loretta, but they called her Lettie. She stood 4 feet 10 inches tall. She was outrageously friendly, the kind of person liable to invite the sales clerk at T-Mobile to join the family for dinner. This made her children cringe but was also something they loved. Pure Lettie.
She was tough. At work, she could stare down colleagues who were hairy, blustery and taller than her by a foot or two. And it was true of her husband, Roddy. He could not say no to her.She was tough. At work, she could stare down colleagues who were hairy, blustery and taller than her by a foot or two. And it was true of her husband, Roddy. He could not say no to her.
Roddy had not wanted to go on their February trip to the Philippines. He was watching the early news about the coronavirus, and worried it would put his wife, a cancer survivor, in danger. But she was adamant. There was something she needed to finish.Roddy had not wanted to go on their February trip to the Philippines. He was watching the early news about the coronavirus, and worried it would put his wife, a cancer survivor, in danger. But she was adamant. There was something she needed to finish.
On March 11, Loretta Dionisio became a data point.On March 11, Loretta Dionisio became a data point.
At the news conference where her death was announced, the public health director in Los Angeles County did not name her, in accordance with federal privacy regulations.At the news conference where her death was announced, the public health director in Los Angeles County did not name her, in accordance with federal privacy regulations.
The public health director referred only to a woman in her 60s with “underlying health conditions” who was stopping briefly in California after travels in Asia, adding that “shortly after being hospitalized, she unfortunately passed.” In the ongoing tally of fatalities associated with the coronavirus, hers was the 37th death in the United States, the first in Los Angeles County.The public health director referred only to a woman in her 60s with “underlying health conditions” who was stopping briefly in California after travels in Asia, adding that “shortly after being hospitalized, she unfortunately passed.” In the ongoing tally of fatalities associated with the coronavirus, hers was the 37th death in the United States, the first in Los Angeles County.
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Nearly two weeks later, Ms. Dionisio’s family was still grappling with the bureaucracy that surrounds infectious disease. She died far from her home in Orlando, Fla., during a layover 2,500 miles away. Her son and daughter, on the East Coast, have been unable to see their father, who is in quarantine in California after giving their mother cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For days after her death, he barely spoke.Nearly two weeks later, Ms. Dionisio’s family was still grappling with the bureaucracy that surrounds infectious disease. She died far from her home in Orlando, Fla., during a layover 2,500 miles away. Her son and daughter, on the East Coast, have been unable to see their father, who is in quarantine in California after giving their mother cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For days after her death, he barely spoke.
And in the painful logistics of hygiene and quarantine, no funeral Mass has been said for her.And in the painful logistics of hygiene and quarantine, no funeral Mass has been said for her.
“Through this whole ordeal, we didn’t want her to get lost in the story,” said her son, Rembert Dionisio.“Through this whole ordeal, we didn’t want her to get lost in the story,” said her son, Rembert Dionisio.
Janice Jenkins, a close friend of Ms. Dionisio’s, said that the days after her death had felt strange and disjointed, without the ceremonies that mark the passing of someone dear.Janice Jenkins, a close friend of Ms. Dionisio’s, said that the days after her death had felt strange and disjointed, without the ceremonies that mark the passing of someone dear.
“This whole thing is just like a hole in the ground that they’re just throwing bodies into,” she said.“This whole thing is just like a hole in the ground that they’re just throwing bodies into,” she said.
News of the pandemic is released in the form of data, illnesses and deaths compiled by countries and counties. But sparks of humanity glow here and there.News of the pandemic is released in the form of data, illnesses and deaths compiled by countries and counties. But sparks of humanity glow here and there.
Consider John Brennan, a New Jersey man whose death was announced March 10. He had once trained a winning racehorse named Sugar Trader. “I’m a minor leaguer, and I’m in the big leagues,” he said at the time. “Unbelievable.”Consider John Brennan, a New Jersey man whose death was announced March 10. He had once trained a winning racehorse named Sugar Trader. “I’m a minor leaguer, and I’m in the big leagues,” he said at the time. “Unbelievable.”
Merle Dry, 55, who died on Wednesday in a hospital in Tulsa, Okla., trimmed the hedges at Oral Roberts University into topiary birds and curlicues.Merle Dry, 55, who died on Wednesday in a hospital in Tulsa, Okla., trimmed the hedges at Oral Roberts University into topiary birds and curlicues.
Jeffrey Ghazarian, 34, a cancer survivor who died on Thursday at a hospital in Pasadena, Calif., liked to quote the movie “Swingers,” the speech that went: “You’re money, baby. You’re so money and you don’t even know it.”Jeffrey Ghazarian, 34, a cancer survivor who died on Thursday at a hospital in Pasadena, Calif., liked to quote the movie “Swingers,” the speech that went: “You’re money, baby. You’re so money and you don’t even know it.”
Gary Young, 66, a retired cabinet maker who died in Gilroy, Calif., on Tuesday, was a talker, sometimes lingering for half an hour with goodbyes as his family waited in the car.Gary Young, 66, a retired cabinet maker who died in Gilroy, Calif., on Tuesday, was a talker, sometimes lingering for half an hour with goodbyes as his family waited in the car.
His daughter told The San Jose Mercury News that she watched through a glass divider as he died in an isolation ward, and a medical team in blue protective gear turned off his heart monitor.His daughter told The San Jose Mercury News that she watched through a glass divider as he died in an isolation ward, and a medical team in blue protective gear turned off his heart monitor.
“It broke my heart into a million pieces,” she said. “I didn’t want him to feel alone.”“It broke my heart into a million pieces,” she said. “I didn’t want him to feel alone.”
The list goes on. As of Sunday, 390 deaths had been tied to the coronavirus in the United States. The average age of those who had died was a few months over 77, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the most vulnerable age brackets, men are nearly twice as likely to die as women.The list goes on. As of Sunday, 390 deaths had been tied to the coronavirus in the United States. The average age of those who had died was a few months over 77, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the most vulnerable age brackets, men are nearly twice as likely to die as women.
Because people over 80 are far more likely to die, the deaths may ultimately be clustered in wealthier countries with higher life expectancies, according to a study published last week by demographers at Oxford University. The virus spreads faster in countries like Italy, where there is a high level of contact between the young and the old.Because people over 80 are far more likely to die, the deaths may ultimately be clustered in wealthier countries with higher life expectancies, according to a study published last week by demographers at Oxford University. The virus spreads faster in countries like Italy, where there is a high level of contact between the young and the old.
As the crisis has deepened, mourning rituals have fallen by the wayside.As the crisis has deepened, mourning rituals have fallen by the wayside.
In China, where more than 3,100 people have died, the national health commission has banned funerals. Patients die in intensive care units that do not allow visitors, and in the moments after a person’s death, health workers in hazmat suits enter a hospital room and take the body away.In China, where more than 3,100 people have died, the national health commission has banned funerals. Patients die in intensive care units that do not allow visitors, and in the moments after a person’s death, health workers in hazmat suits enter a hospital room and take the body away.
In Italy, where funerals serve as a central pillar of community life, many of the dead are being buried by a lone priest, without mourners present. A local cemetery in the province of Bergamo, at the center of the outbreak, shut down this past week for the first time since World War II. The local newspaper, L’Eco di Bergamo, ran 10 pages of obituaries.In Italy, where funerals serve as a central pillar of community life, many of the dead are being buried by a lone priest, without mourners present. A local cemetery in the province of Bergamo, at the center of the outbreak, shut down this past week for the first time since World War II. The local newspaper, L’Eco di Bergamo, ran 10 pages of obituaries.
“These are people who die alone and who are buried alone,” the newspaper’s editor, Alberto Ceresoli, said.“These are people who die alone and who are buried alone,” the newspaper’s editor, Alberto Ceresoli, said.
Ms. Dionisio, 68, was fond of emeralds (the real kind), serial killer documentaries and the Home Shopping Network.Ms. Dionisio, 68, was fond of emeralds (the real kind), serial killer documentaries and the Home Shopping Network.
She had a passionate interest in food. Her brainstorming about lunch plans, her co-workers would joke, sometimes began at 9:30 in the morning. People not related to her called her “mom.” And she had such a close, tender relationship with her husband that when he had to work on Saturdays, she would drive an hour to work with him just so she could sit by his side.She had a passionate interest in food. Her brainstorming about lunch plans, her co-workers would joke, sometimes began at 9:30 in the morning. People not related to her called her “mom.” And she had such a close, tender relationship with her husband that when he had to work on Saturdays, she would drive an hour to work with him just so she could sit by his side.
“I don’t mind, I just want to be with him,” she said, once, when a co-worker asked her why.“I don’t mind, I just want to be with him,” she said, once, when a co-worker asked her why.
It would be a mistake, however, to consider her a softy. When the family needed someone to negotiate a deal, they sent Ms. Dionisio.It would be a mistake, however, to consider her a softy. When the family needed someone to negotiate a deal, they sent Ms. Dionisio.
“She wasn’t necessarily persuasive, she was just persistent,” said her son-in-law, Chris Connelly. “She would say, ‘I want that car and I want it for this price.’ You would be there until 10 o’clock at night and the manager would say, ‘What do I have to do to go home?’”“She wasn’t necessarily persuasive, she was just persistent,” said her son-in-law, Chris Connelly. “She would say, ‘I want that car and I want it for this price.’ You would be there until 10 o’clock at night and the manager would say, ‘What do I have to do to go home?’”
Loretta Mendoza was born in Pasay City, in the Philippines, to parents who had fled by foot into the countryside to escape the Japanese occupation during World War II, at times eating roots to survive. It was an ordeal they rarely spoke of. In first grade, she was sent away to a convent school, to be educated by nuns.Loretta Mendoza was born in Pasay City, in the Philippines, to parents who had fled by foot into the countryside to escape the Japanese occupation during World War II, at times eating roots to survive. It was an ordeal they rarely spoke of. In first grade, she was sent away to a convent school, to be educated by nuns.
“She and I took care of each other,” said her sister, Norma Quijano, 73, who is five years her senior. “You know how the nuns are.”“She and I took care of each other,” said her sister, Norma Quijano, 73, who is five years her senior. “You know how the nuns are.”
Ms. Dionisio’s decision to travel to the Philippines in February was bound up in that history.Ms. Dionisio’s decision to travel to the Philippines in February was bound up in that history.
She and her husband, Rodrigo, a classmate from art school in the Philippines, left for the United States in the 1970s, and found work as commercial artists. They eventually settled in Orlando and raised two children, Rembert and Rowena.She and her husband, Rodrigo, a classmate from art school in the Philippines, left for the United States in the 1970s, and found work as commercial artists. They eventually settled in Orlando and raised two children, Rembert and Rowena.
But unfinished business from the Philippines nagged at Ms. Dionisio.But unfinished business from the Philippines nagged at Ms. Dionisio.
Her father, who had grown up in poverty, had spent years scrimping to buy land for a coconut plantation in the coastal region of Camarines Norte, promising his children it would support them in their old age.Her father, who had grown up in poverty, had spent years scrimping to buy land for a coconut plantation in the coastal region of Camarines Norte, promising his children it would support them in their old age.
This was dubious — the land’s value had dwindled over the years to a few thousand dollars, and the government had forced the family to surrender the property when they immigrated to the United States. But Ms. Dionisio, as a tribute to her deceased father, was intent on collecting compensation for the plot from the Department of Agrarian Reform. She and her sister had chipped away at this task for years, a wrestling match with provincial land bureaucrats who demanded a long list of notarized documents. This spring’s trip was the one in which Ms. Dionisio would collect the check.This was dubious — the land’s value had dwindled over the years to a few thousand dollars, and the government had forced the family to surrender the property when they immigrated to the United States. But Ms. Dionisio, as a tribute to her deceased father, was intent on collecting compensation for the plot from the Department of Agrarian Reform. She and her sister had chipped away at this task for years, a wrestling match with provincial land bureaucrats who demanded a long list of notarized documents. This spring’s trip was the one in which Ms. Dionisio would collect the check.
“She said, ‘I have to finish this,’” Ms. Quijano said. “She wanted to settle it once and for all.”“She said, ‘I have to finish this,’” Ms. Quijano said. “She wanted to settle it once and for all.”
News about the virus was already beginning to circulate, and an active volcano had spewed ash particles into the air. People tried to talk Ms. Dionisio, who had survived two bouts of cancer and suffered from diabetes, out of traveling. Her husband was against making the trip, and so was their daughter and her sister. Ms. Jenkins tried to dissuade her, as well, but understood it was useless.News about the virus was already beginning to circulate, and an active volcano had spewed ash particles into the air. People tried to talk Ms. Dionisio, who had survived two bouts of cancer and suffered from diabetes, out of traveling. Her husband was against making the trip, and so was their daughter and her sister. Ms. Jenkins tried to dissuade her, as well, but understood it was useless.
Updated June 12, 2020 Updated June 16, 2020
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“It goes back to her never wanting to give up,” Ms. Jenkins said. Ms. Dionisio’s daughter, Rowena Dionisio-Connelly, agreed: As a small girl, Ms. Dionisio would run after a neighbor who teased her brother, who was gay. “She would pull out a wooden spoon and chase the neighbor with it all the way to his doorstep,” she said.“It goes back to her never wanting to give up,” Ms. Jenkins said. Ms. Dionisio’s daughter, Rowena Dionisio-Connelly, agreed: As a small girl, Ms. Dionisio would run after a neighbor who teased her brother, who was gay. “She would pull out a wooden spoon and chase the neighbor with it all the way to his doorstep,” she said.
So the couple set off for a month of travel, sending back dispatches from their journey. Increasingly, they were in the shadow of the virus.So the couple set off for a month of travel, sending back dispatches from their journey. Increasingly, they were in the shadow of the virus.
“We’ve been wearing our masks to avoid the coronavirus,” Mr. Dionisio wrote in a text message to Ms. Jenkins, along with a photo of a carved bench nestled in tropical greenery. As the trip went on, he wrote, more and more of the tourist sights were being closed.“We’ve been wearing our masks to avoid the coronavirus,” Mr. Dionisio wrote in a text message to Ms. Jenkins, along with a photo of a carved bench nestled in tropical greenery. As the trip went on, he wrote, more and more of the tourist sights were being closed.
In early March, Ms. Dionisio called home to announce that she had achieved her goal: Zipped inside her suitcase was a check from the Filipino government, compensating the family for the loss of the coconut plantation, said her sister, Ms. Quijano. She turned toward home, a trip that would take the couple through Thailand and, briefly, South Korea.In early March, Ms. Dionisio called home to announce that she had achieved her goal: Zipped inside her suitcase was a check from the Filipino government, compensating the family for the loss of the coconut plantation, said her sister, Ms. Quijano. She turned toward home, a trip that would take the couple through Thailand and, briefly, South Korea.
There were, their children now realize, small signs that something was wrong.There were, their children now realize, small signs that something was wrong.
At one point, Mr. Dionisio mentioned to Rowena that her mother had a fever. In a phone call to her sister, passing on the triumphant news about the check, Ms. Dionisio mentioned she wasn’t feeling well.At one point, Mr. Dionisio mentioned to Rowena that her mother had a fever. In a phone call to her sister, passing on the triumphant news about the check, Ms. Dionisio mentioned she wasn’t feeling well.
Then they were on their way to safety. Mr. Dionisio told his daughter that they had to wait, exhausted, for nine hours in the airport in Seoul, where there was no free seat for them.Then they were on their way to safety. Mr. Dionisio told his daughter that they had to wait, exhausted, for nine hours in the airport in Seoul, where there was no free seat for them.
That is something Rowena’s mind gets stuck on now.That is something Rowena’s mind gets stuck on now.
“It’s a gut punch, because I can see how they were,” she said. “My dad was probably trying to make her comfortable on the windowsill, her head was probably resting on his shoulder.”“It’s a gut punch, because I can see how they were,” she said. “My dad was probably trying to make her comfortable on the windowsill, her head was probably resting on his shoulder.”
When they landed in Los Angeles, her mother called from outside her sister-in-law’s house, saying she needed to rest after the 11-hour flight.When they landed in Los Angeles, her mother called from outside her sister-in-law’s house, saying she needed to rest after the 11-hour flight.
“She was joking and laughing about not being able to get into the house,” she said. “She said, ‘I’ll call you later. I need to sleep.’ And then I never heard from her again.”“She was joking and laughing about not being able to get into the house,” she said. “She said, ‘I’ll call you later. I need to sleep.’ And then I never heard from her again.”
When Mr. Dionisio awoke from a deep, jet-lagged sleep hours later, he could not wake his wife. Panicked, he performed CPR and called an ambulance, which took her to a hospital with a weak pulse. Over the next hours, she experienced four cardiac arrests, her family said. She was declared dead at 2:57 a.m. on March 10.When Mr. Dionisio awoke from a deep, jet-lagged sleep hours later, he could not wake his wife. Panicked, he performed CPR and called an ambulance, which took her to a hospital with a weak pulse. Over the next hours, she experienced four cardiac arrests, her family said. She was declared dead at 2:57 a.m. on March 10.
After she tested positive for the virus on March 11, the family was occupied with crisis management, five or six hours a day of phone calls to public health officials, the crematory, hospital staff. Not only their father, but also their aunt and uncle, and another aunt and cousin, have been ordered to self-quarantine.After she tested positive for the virus on March 11, the family was occupied with crisis management, five or six hours a day of phone calls to public health officials, the crematory, hospital staff. Not only their father, but also their aunt and uncle, and another aunt and cousin, have been ordered to self-quarantine.
A memorial gathering, for now, is out of the question.A memorial gathering, for now, is out of the question.
“We don’t want to put any other family members in harm’s way,” Ms. Dionisio’s son, Rembert, said. “That’s what makes everything really rough right now. It’s almost taken away from what is happening with my mother.”“We don’t want to put any other family members in harm’s way,” Ms. Dionisio’s son, Rembert, said. “That’s what makes everything really rough right now. It’s almost taken away from what is happening with my mother.”
His cousin, Paula, is thinking of setting up a conference call so that a priest can say Mass.His cousin, Paula, is thinking of setting up a conference call so that a priest can say Mass.
The check for the coconut planation will be deposited, its balance given to Ms. Dionisio’s eldest sister.The check for the coconut planation will be deposited, its balance given to Ms. Dionisio’s eldest sister.
Rowena has trouble speaking about her mother without breaking down.Rowena has trouble speaking about her mother without breaking down.
“It’s hard for me to to come to terms with the fact that Mom is gone,” she said. “I’m searching for her. Her smell. I want to touch her hand.”“It’s hard for me to to come to terms with the fact that Mom is gone,” she said. “I’m searching for her. Her smell. I want to touch her hand.”
Sarah Mervosh contributed reporting from New York, Amy Qin from Beijing and Jason Horowitz from Rome.Sarah Mervosh contributed reporting from New York, Amy Qin from Beijing and Jason Horowitz from Rome.
Kitty Bennett contributed research from New York.Kitty Bennett contributed research from New York.