Fredonia Mayor ‘Lucky To Be Here’ After COVID
Fredonia Mayor Douglas Essek continues to recover from COVID-19, which led to the elected official contracting double pneumonia and suffering a massive heart attack in December that placed him in the intensive care unit of UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa.
Despite the health issues faced by the mayor, he called the experience positive due to the “marvelous experiece” with health-care providers, the assistance of doctors and emergency medical technicians. “Between the services I got, the thoughts and prayers, this really has been an amazing experience,” he said. “I’m just very lucky to be here and share this with you.”
In a Facebook post by County Executive PJ Wendel, Essek said that all in his family were infected by the virus. He said while he has struggled with COVID, others in his family were asymptomatic.
Joined by his wife, Julie, in the video, Essek urged residents to continue to follow all the proper guidelines regarding the virus. The couple also advocated for all to receive the vaccination once it becomes available.
“This is a very, very serious matter,” he said. “Please take this seriously.”