Father Of 7 Records Final Note For Kids: U.S. Coronavirus Blog

HOUSTON, TX — A Texas father bid a heartbreaking farewell to his seven children through a recorded video, two weeks before the coronavirus claimed his life.

Charles "Charley" Torres of Houston struggled to breathe as he spoke his final words to his three children and four stepchildren, according to the video obtained by KTRK-TV in Houston.

"I love you with all my heart. I love you so much," Torres, 35, said in the video. "Take care of your mother. I love you."

Torres is one of 45,000 Texans to die of the virus. Originally from Manvel, he was an Eagle Scout and a volunteer firefighter. His greatest calling was his family, his parents told the television station.

Torres died on Valentine's Day. The family has since set up a GoFundMe to help his children.

"God's giving him a little rest right now, but He has something mightier for him to do," his mother told KTRK.

Read the full story via ABC 7

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The Latest

More relief is in sight for cash-strapped Americans hit hard by the pandemic after an exhausted Senate narrowly approved a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill this weekend.

The passage of the bill will not only ease the financial burden on millions of Americans, but also will provide an influx of cash to some U.S. industries struggling to operate through the pandemic. The vote also signals a major legislative victory for President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies.

After laboring through the night on a mountain of amendments — nearly all from Republicans and rejected — bleary-eyed senators approved the sprawling package Saturday on a 50-49 party-line vote.

The bill now goes back to the House for approval, a necessary step before it's sent to Biden for his signature.

“We tell the American people, help is on the way," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, according to an Associated Press report. “Our job right now is to help our country get from this stormy present to that hopeful future.”

The overall bill, aimed at battling the coronavirus virus and aiding the economy back to health, would provide direct payments of $1,400 to millions of Americans. The package also includes money for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, aid to state and local governments, help for schools and the airline industry, tax breaks for lower-earners and families with children, and subsidies for health insurance.

• Senate Passes Biden's $1.9 Trillion Virus Relief Plan

As the number of coronavirus deaths in the United States approached 525,000, more states are easing back on restrictions despite public health officials warning that the moves may be premature.

Arizona, California and South Carolina became the latest to join the growing list of states relaxing restrictions. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ended capacity limits on businesses but stopped short of removing a mask mandate, according to The New York Times. In South Carolina, the state's Republican governor lifted the state's mask mandate in government buildings.

Meanwhile, California will allow amusement parks and outdoor sports and live events at stadiums to restart on April 1. Reduced capacity restrictions remain in place, as do mandatory masks.

Earlier this week, Texas and Mississippi were the targets of fierce backlash after governors of both states opted to lift mask mandates and reopen their states.

Among those criticizing their decisions was Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert.

"I don't know why they're doing it, but it's certainly, from a public health standpoint, ill-advised," Fauci told CNN on Thursday.

Also, the average number of daily tests being conducted in America has plummeted by 33.6 percent since January, according to the Covid Tracking Project.

It's a statistic many health experts call "worrisome." Testing is a key tool to stopping coronavirus transmission, they told the Washington Post. Without it, the virus has the potential to spread unchecked.

Finally, Americans who've received both doses of the vaccine are eagerly awaiting official guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on what they should and shouldn't do post-vaccine.

Such guidance would address a flood of questions coming in from people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19: Do I still have to wear a mask? Can I go to a bar now? Can I finally see my grandchildren?

The Biden administration said Friday it's focused on getting the guidance right and accommodating emerging science, according to an AP report.

"These are complex issues, and the science is rapidly evolving," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday. "We are making sure and taking time to get this right, and we will be releasing this guidance soon."

• Americans Vaccinated Against Coronavirus Still Wait For Advice

Newest Numbers

As of Saturday afternoon, the United States had reported more than 28.9 million cases and more than 524,000 deaths from COVID-19-related illnesses, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

At least 2,226 deaths and 68,805 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the United States on Friday, according to a Washington Post database. The Post's reporting shows that over the past week, new daily cases have fallen 9.7 percent, new daily deaths have fallen 15.4 percent and COVID-19-related hospitalizations have fallen 12.5 percent.

More than 116.3 million vaccine doses have been distributed and more than 87.9 million administered in the United States as of Saturday morning, according to the CDC. More than 57.3 million people have received one dose, and nearly 29.7 million have received two.

As of Saturday, 20 states and U.S. territories remained above the positive testing rate recommended by the World Health Organization to safely reopen. To safely reopen, the WHO recommends states remain at 5 percent or lower for at least 14 days.

Two states, Hawaii and Oregon, have positive test rates below 1 percent.

For more live coverage on the coronavirus, follow The New York Times or The Washington Post.

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