COVID-19 Keeps Tulsa Family Separated As Parents Care For Infected Daughters

A Tulsa family is separated as half of the family is infected with COVID-19, while the others are trying to stay healthy.

While Jennifer Jones is at Saint Francis Hospital helping their special-needs child recover from COVID-19, Christopher Jones is at home with their youngest, who is also infected with the coronavirus.

"It's made us a lot stronger as a family, but it also has hurt us in a lot of ways," said Jennifer from her daughter’s hospital room.

Saint Francis Hospital told News On 6 staff approved for Jennifer to stay with her daughter Maddie, who is infected with COVID-19, because Maddie cannot talk or advocate for herself after a traumatic brain injury from a car crash in February 2019.

Jennifer said Maddie started to feel lethargic Monday, then she had diarrhea. By Wednesday, Maddie had trouble breathing and has been hospitalized since.

"It's been a roller coaster for me because I'm up here by myself, and my youngest daughter - she's having to be without mama - but my husband has been amazing, and my oldest daughter Alexis - she has been amazing as well," said Jennifer.

Christopher, who is diabetic, and their two other daughters are at home.

“It's a little weird,” said Christopher. “I'm usually right there. I'm the Lyft. I do whatever mom needs."

He said 13-year-old Alyssa, who is infected, is in good spirits, while 21-year-old Alexis doesn't have symptoms as she waits on her test results. Christopher said they wear masks around each other and try to sanitize as much as possible.

“It's real easy not to take it seriously until it's boom, all of a sudden all around you," said Christopher.

Christopher and Jennifer said they don't know where their children became infected, but they will do everything they can to have their children healthy again.

“It's not something to play around with, and if you can prevent it, please do," advised Jennifer.

Both parents told News On 6 they do not have COVID-19 symptoms but plan to get tested.

The family has a Facebook group with updates on Maddie and how you can help. You may request to join the group here.