Michigan Nurse Devastated After Family Home Burns Down Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
A nurse working on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan says she and her family have lost everything after their home burnt down.
Sarah Lauback, her husband David Lauback, and their five children made it out of their burning house in Holly, in Oakland County, on Sunday night, Fox 2 Detroit reported. But the property was completely destroyed in a fire that started in the attic.
"We are thankful none of our kids were in it, but everything we worked for went up in flames," Sarah Lauback, who is the director of nursing at a nursing home in Montrose, told the station. "My children pretty much lost everything they had."
She and her husband rushed their kids out of the home after seeing smoke and fire coming from the attic. David Lauback, a corrections officer, said within minutes of the family getting out, the house was ablaze.
"I said everybody get out of the house, let's go, and we just got everybody out of the house at that point by the time we got out of the house—it was minutes—and the whole top of the house was on fire," he told Fox 2 Detroit.
Sarah Lauback's brother Paul Woody set up a GoFundMe page for donations to help the family.
"My sister Sarah lost her house on April 19, to a fire. Thankfully her husband and five kids made it out safely," Woody wrote on the fundraising page. "However, they left the house with only a few items and the clothes on their backs."
He added: "My sister is currently on the front line as a nurse during this pandemic, and now has the added burden of no house to go back to. We are asking any help, just so they can acquire some clothes and needed necessities. ANY help would be greatly appreciated."
In under 24 hours, the $10,000 target to help the family was hit.
The Lauback family has expressed its gratitude for the donations. "There's been so many people that don't even know us that have given to us, it's just amazing," David Lauback told Fox 2 Detroit. "Thank you to everybody that has tried to help us."
The family and the Holly Fire Department have been contacted for additional comment.
The fire occurred while a stay-at-home order is in effect in Michigan, one of the hardest-hit states in the U.S., to curb the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
There are 32,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state and 2,468 deaths, according to the latest figures from the state government.
This infographic, provided by Statista, shows the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the U.S. as of April 20.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advice on Using Face Coverings to Slow Spread of COVID-19
- CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering in public where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- A simple cloth face covering can help slow the spread of the virus by those infected and by those who do not exhibit symptoms.
- Cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items. Guides are offered by the CDC. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html)
- Cloth face coverings should be washed regularly. A washing machine will suffice.
- Practice safe removal of face coverings by not touching eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash hands immediately after removing the covering.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people.
- If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance.
- Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask and glove usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
- Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.
- The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.
