Moose Jaw teen speaking out after losing father to COVID-19

Two Moose Jaw teens have been left without a father and their only parent because of COVID-19.

Dean Johnson lost his battle with the South African variant on May 13 in a Regina hospital, leaving behind his sons, 16-year-old Layne and 14-year-old Ethan.

Layne is now spreading the message about the importance of following public health guidelines and getting vaccinated.

“I’m living without a father. My father was a single dad and now I don’t have a parent. I wouldn’t want anyone else to experience this,” he said.

About 10 years ago, Dean was injured in a welding accident at work that severely burned his legs. Layne said after the accident, his father’s legs would get infected very easily and he would also have ongoing issues with his health.

“He would be considered one of those at-risk people,” Layne said.

In late April, Layne received word one of his classmates had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and so he, Ethan and Dean went into self-isolation.

On May 6, all three of them came down with symptoms and tested positive for the South African variant.

While Ethan and Layne had flu-like symptoms, the situation for Dean was much worse. Layne said his dad was coughing up blood and he was having a hard time breathing.

Layne called an ambulance and Dean was airlifted to Regina General Hospital and put into intensive care. A week after coming down with symptoms, Dean passed away.

“I get that some people might think it’s stupid or a government hoax or something, or the vaccine is going to plant a chip in you, but that’s all baloney. This is a serious virus,” Layne said.

Layne and Ethan will now be in the care of their grandparents in Moose Jaw.

Despite losing his father, Layne said the support and kindness shown by the community has made the grieving process easier.

One of Layne’s closest friends, Kaedyn Banilevic, started a GoFundMe page that has already surpassed its initial $10,000 goal.

“It’s not the money, it’s not the gifts, it’s the thought. The money won’t replace anyone but the thought and the kindness from all these people, that’s what I really appreciate,” Layne said.

Shawn Slaght, Discover Moose Jaw