Former Alabama state Sen. Larry Dixon, who died last week due to COVID-19, before he died told his wife "we messed up" and encouraged her to tell "everybody to take this thing seriously."
More than 14.6 million people in the U.S. have contracted COVID-19 and at least 281,000 people have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The country has added more than 1 million cases to its grim total in just five days.
Dixon contracted the virus at a social gathering, according to Dr. David Thrasher, a critical care pulmonologist in Montgomery, Alabama, who treated him early in his illness.
"He was loved by everybody," Thrasher said. "He was a great personal friend, the nicest kindest guy and his last words were, 'Hey, let's prevent this. Let's save some lives.'"
Dixon made his comments to his wife, Gaynell Dixon, before he was placed on a ventilator.
"We messed up," Dixon said. "We just let our guard down. Please tell everybody to take this thing seriously and get help as soon as you get the virus."
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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