Twin Towers residents touched by COVID illness, recent death

The recent death of a Twin Towers’ resident from COVID-19 has brought the pandemic home for residents of the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority complex, where several people have tested positive and some have been hospitalized.

A lock down at Poplar Bluff Housing Authority’s Twin Towers began in March. The complex has 104 apartments, with residents varying in age from 55 to the mid 90s.

Residents may come and go as they please, but to visit the Twin Towers, one either has to have a key or someone has to open the door for them.

Residents have differing opinions about the pandemic, but they are now grieving the loss of a friend, who lived there.

While the library, TV room and dining room were closed and bingo stopped being played, “it wasn’t here,” said the first resident interviewed, who asked not to be named.

“It was on the East Coast or the West Coast. We were not worried.”

Residents might not have been taking it seriously, but the housing authority was.

The residents explain each floor’s hallways, as well as the public areas, are cleaned and sanitized at least twice a day.

“We are all very grateful for what they do,” the first person said.

According to her, “it hit here in June and July.”

Two went to the hospital, one more went and came home. Several tested positive.

But it has really hit home when one friend who lived there died a few days ago as a result of the virus. Butler County Health Department officials announced a fifth death Friday from COVID-19, but they did not release a name or residence. BHD reported on Tuesday the county currently has 353 cases, with seven Butler County residents hospitalized and 287 recovered.

The two women interviewed at Twin Towers described their friend as “opinionated, but lovable. He made you so mad at times.”

They both recall he was downstairs most days by 6-6:30 a.m.

“He was one of the first people I would see in the morning,” the second woman said.

The first woman said, “You got used to coming and our animals looked for him, and we looked for him.”

They both agreed he “loved dogs, and he loved kids and all the dogs loved him.”

The first woman, who is a longtime resident, explained he kept fried bacon and other treats to feed them.

Continuing she said, “All our grandkids and great-grandkids loved him. He would talk to them.”

The second person said, “We would have wheelchair races, and he let me win once.”

While coping with the virus, the first woman said, some are fine staying in their apartments and are happy and content.

Others enjoy getting outside, keeping their distance, wearing masks and socializing.

She said, “I think the ones who have it don’t have the slightest idea where they got it. So far, we have seen possibly 10 people testing positive.”

Along with the sterilizing and sanitizing, “we are washing our hands,” she said. “We are pretty lucky. It could have been worse.”

While some will wear masks, others don’t.

While more tested positive, “until it got him, none of us took it seriously,” the first woman said. “We keep our distance. So many have health issues. People, like me, wear a mask. I no longer go out to eat. The only thing I do is go to the grocery store. I watch where I go, what time I go, and I watch the space.”

Some think the virus is not true, but she said, “it is making a believer out of me,” adding, “there is an empty seat at the table. He was one of our friends.”

When contacted, housing authority officials indicated they were pleased the residents praised them, but did not want to comment for the article.