Unvaccinated Father And Son Catch COVID-19, Barely Survive Virus

KEY POINTS

Shawn Copeman and his son, Craig Copeman, aged 55 and 31, respectively, both contracted COVID-19
The unvaccinated father and son duo spent days unconscious and on ventilators before recovering
Shawn was discharged Saturday, while Craig was scheduled to leave the hospital Tuesday
The father has since expressed his interest in getting vaccinated and urged others to do the same

An unvaccinated father and son duo in Newaygo County, Michigan, spent several days unconscious and hooked to ventilators during their bouts with COVID-19.

Shawn Copeman, 55, was hospitalized after contracting the coronavirus, Fox 17 West Michigan first reported.

The Everett Township father was given two choices by doctors — get on a ventilator or possibly die.

Copeman was joined by his 31-year-old son, Craig Copeman, who battled his COVID-19 infection in the room next to his father's.

"I just remember getting sick, really sick, and having to go in. I don’t remember much after they put me under the vent and whatnot," Craig said.

It was unclear how both unvaccinated men contracted the virus, and it was not disclosed if they had any pre-existing medical conditions.

As both Shawn and Craig were unconscious and on ventilators for days, Lori, the mother of the family, went through "an emotional ride."

Friends and family rallied together to create T-shirts that read "Team Copeman." The father and son later recovered.

"When I woke up and heard [my dad] was in there, it kind of made me nervous for him. I heard they pulled him off the vent the same time they pulled me off the vent, so that made me feel a little bit better," Craig recalled.

Both Shawn and Craig were later moved to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids to continue their recovery. The former was discharged and left for home Saturday, while the latter was scheduled to leave Tuesday.

Shawn reportedly received a round of applause as he departed the facility.

The experience has allegedly provided the two with new perspective about the pandemic and the vaccine.

"I definitely am going to get my vaccination and definitely wear a mask around town. Take a whole different approach to it than I used to because I used to not do any of that," Shawn, who previously believed he did not need the vaccines, said.

The father has also advised others to "definitely get" their shots.

The United States has reported a total of 76,246,964 COVID-19 cases and 898,216 virus-related deaths, according to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.