My dad passed away Nov. 3, in Lenoir City, Tennessee. He was in an assisted living facility. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to go in and see him.

During the summer, they would bring him to a window, and we had to sit on the outside of the building and speak through the screen. In the fall, he was transitioned to hospice care at the same facility, so he could no longer have “screen” visits.

The facility informed us that when death was imminent, we would be allowed in to see him. Imminent was within 72 hours of death. Well, they informed us on Nov. 2, and we went down there to see him.

At this point, he was unconscious and unable to respond. He passed at 6 p.m. on Nov. 3. His death was not COVID-related. But due to the constantly changing restrictions, we were unable to interact with him at this important time.

­- David Harmadi