The Rodriques Family
Donation protected
We are a group of friends who are reaching out to people to ask for assistance for our friend, Terena Rodriques, who lost her father Leonard Rodriques to COVID-19 on May 6, 2020. Leonard Rodriques was the fifth Ontario Personal Support Worker (PSW) to die as a result of contracting COVID-19 at his workplace. Like some other PSW's are reporting, Leonard was not given PPE after requesting it. The family also believes that he was released from the hospital too early, among other things. Their story has been reported out by major Canadian news outlets including the CBC and the CTV (links below).
Leonard was survived by his wife and three children. He was the main financial provider for his household and his unexpected death has left his wife and children emotionally devastated. They are even more saddened that he had dedicated much of his life (over 30 years) to the healthcare system, but in his time of need, the family felt that the healthcare system had failed him. With the emotional pain and stress that his death has brought, it has also brought financial burdens to his family (How do you properly grieve the loss of a loved one; make funeral arrangements right now?), which have been exacerbated by the current social conditions that the pandemic has brought to most of their community.
They are not a family that is used to asking others for help, but this GoFundMe Campaign has been created to ease the economic burden and assist with contributing to the family’s household expenses for the coming months as they mourn and financially re-adjust to life after his death. Any amount would be greatly appreciated, and all proceeds will be going to the Rodriques family. As Leonard's story continues to develop, the CBC, CTV and other outlets continue to investigate how his case was handled.
With the permission of the Rodiques’ family we have also provided some additional information on the circumstances of his passing. Please read or click on the links below if you wish to learn more:
CTV: https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/family-of-psw-who-died-after-contracting-covid-19-says-he-wasn-t-properly-protected-at-work-1.4931727
CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/personal-support-workers-dies-covid-19-toronto-1.5560686
Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/6919505/coronavirus-psw-dies-access-independent-living-services/
Leonard’s story:
During the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto, Leonard had requested for proper personal protective equipment (PPE) from his employer. However, his request was denied as PPE was only being made available to those who had already contracted the virus. Leonard took matters into his own hands and purchased non-medical grade PPE from the local Dollar Store. He continued to go to work even though his family was worried about his health and safety.
On April 6, Leonard found out that he had been exposed to a COVID-positive co-worker and was sent home to isolate for 14 days. During his isolation period, he and his family members started developing symptoms. His children attempted to get tested, but as they were not frontline workers, they were denied testing at a health facility due to the government testing restrictions at the time. As Leonard’s isolation period had ended and his symptoms subsided, he went to get tested in order to return to work. By April 26, he was tested positive for the virus and a few days later his health had started to rapidly deteriorate.
On May 4, his family called 911 to take him to the hospital. Since he was COVID-positive and in a “conscious state” the ambulance was not dispatched to the home. The dispatcher had then connected the family with a Telehealth representative who recommended that the family should transport him to the hospital themselves. His wife took him to the hospital but was not allowed to accompany him due to the current visitor restrictions. Given his deteriorated physical condition, she had expected that the hospital would have admitted her husband. Within several hours, Leonard stumbled through the front door of his home. After being medically examined, he was prescribed some antibiotics and was told to go home to recover. Less than 36 hours later, Leonard’s wife found him unresponsive in his bed and the family called 911 again. His daughter performed CPR until the paramedics arrived. He was declared dead shortly after their arrival.
Thank you for taking the time to read about Leonard’s story, any amount donated to this campaign will be greatly appreciated.
Leonard was survived by his wife and three children. He was the main financial provider for his household and his unexpected death has left his wife and children emotionally devastated. They are even more saddened that he had dedicated much of his life (over 30 years) to the healthcare system, but in his time of need, the family felt that the healthcare system had failed him. With the emotional pain and stress that his death has brought, it has also brought financial burdens to his family (How do you properly grieve the loss of a loved one; make funeral arrangements right now?), which have been exacerbated by the current social conditions that the pandemic has brought to most of their community.
They are not a family that is used to asking others for help, but this GoFundMe Campaign has been created to ease the economic burden and assist with contributing to the family’s household expenses for the coming months as they mourn and financially re-adjust to life after his death. Any amount would be greatly appreciated, and all proceeds will be going to the Rodriques family. As Leonard's story continues to develop, the CBC, CTV and other outlets continue to investigate how his case was handled.
With the permission of the Rodiques’ family we have also provided some additional information on the circumstances of his passing. Please read or click on the links below if you wish to learn more:
CTV: https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/family-of-psw-who-died-after-contracting-covid-19-says-he-wasn-t-properly-protected-at-work-1.4931727
CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/personal-support-workers-dies-covid-19-toronto-1.5560686
Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/6919505/coronavirus-psw-dies-access-independent-living-services/
Leonard’s story:
During the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto, Leonard had requested for proper personal protective equipment (PPE) from his employer. However, his request was denied as PPE was only being made available to those who had already contracted the virus. Leonard took matters into his own hands and purchased non-medical grade PPE from the local Dollar Store. He continued to go to work even though his family was worried about his health and safety.
On April 6, Leonard found out that he had been exposed to a COVID-positive co-worker and was sent home to isolate for 14 days. During his isolation period, he and his family members started developing symptoms. His children attempted to get tested, but as they were not frontline workers, they were denied testing at a health facility due to the government testing restrictions at the time. As Leonard’s isolation period had ended and his symptoms subsided, he went to get tested in order to return to work. By April 26, he was tested positive for the virus and a few days later his health had started to rapidly deteriorate.
On May 4, his family called 911 to take him to the hospital. Since he was COVID-positive and in a “conscious state” the ambulance was not dispatched to the home. The dispatcher had then connected the family with a Telehealth representative who recommended that the family should transport him to the hospital themselves. His wife took him to the hospital but was not allowed to accompany him due to the current visitor restrictions. Given his deteriorated physical condition, she had expected that the hospital would have admitted her husband. Within several hours, Leonard stumbled through the front door of his home. After being medically examined, he was prescribed some antibiotics and was told to go home to recover. Less than 36 hours later, Leonard’s wife found him unresponsive in his bed and the family called 911 again. His daughter performed CPR until the paramedics arrived. He was declared dead shortly after their arrival.
Thank you for taking the time to read about Leonard’s story, any amount donated to this campaign will be greatly appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Carmen Wong
Organizer
Toronto, ON
Terena Rodriques
Beneficiary
