Ged Kearney’s beloved father-in-law dies from coronavirus, family unable to visit
Some may see Australia’s coronavirus death toll as quite low, but behind the statistics are much-loved people like Mike. His daughter-in-law, Labor MP Ged Kearney, has spoken out about the family’s heartbreak.
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The father-in-law of Labor MP and former union boss Ged Kearney has died of coronavirus.
In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Ms Kearney revealed her husband’s father Mike, 82, was admitted to hospital last week but died on Saturday at Canberra Hospital. He was the 30th person to die of the virus in Australia.
Ms Kearney spoke of her family’s grief of losing loved ones during a pandemic revealing the death came just days after her sister’s husband died. That death was not linked to the deadly-virus.
Due to strict restrictions around social gatherings, Ms Kearney said her family was unable to physically comfort one another.
“Today I read in the news that Australia has recorded its 30th death from coronavirus. ‘Oh’ you might say, ‘30 is OK compared to other countries,” she wrote.
“But please, don’t let these figures just become nameless statistics to you.”
“You see that 30th person was Mike, my father in law. My partner Leigh’s much loved and loving father.”
.@gedkearney has given me permission to share her sad news. My thoughts are with Ged, Leigh and their family and with all the other grieving families around Australia. 😥 pic.twitter.com/UgDzQskY8o
— Jenny Mikakos MP #StayHomeSaveLives (@JennyMikakos) April 4, 2020
Ms Kearney said her father-in-law had “done his best to isolate” and his family had innocently teased him for stocking up on kilograms of rice, chickpeas and tinned tomatoes.
”I believe he only went outside a couple of times in the whole month to shop,” she wrote.
“He became ill quite suddenly, was admitted to hospital and seven days later he died.”
“Now his Canberra family is in isolation and Wendy, nearly 80, must grieve on her own, in their house alone, away from hugs and kisses and tears and drinks and friends and family.”
Ms Kearney also revealed Mike’s death came just days after her sister’s husband died “not of the virus, but still, died too young”.
“We cannot gather as we would normally do. I can’t hug my sister and her children. We have to wait. And wait we will,” she wrote.
The former union boss urged Australians not to become “immune to the statistics”.
“Every death is sad and felt deeply by someone. I know most people are finding kindness and helping out at every turn, and I am feeling the caring nature of our community first hand.”
“I know you know what you must do to curb the deaths, I don’t need to tell you.”
Ms Kearney was contacted for comment last night.