On Tuesday, a Louisiana congressman died in a Shreeveport hospital. The media immediately claimed he “died of COVID,” but now we are finding out that he actually died of a heart attack after surgery.
Luke Letlow had just won election and was not yet even sworn in to represent Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District. But two weeks ago, he contracted the coronavirus.
Unfortunately, the 41-year-old died Tuesday at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport where he was receiving treatment, the Monroe News-Star reported.
LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor G.E. Ghali reported that Letlow had an operation related to the virus but then went into cardiac arrest.
“It’s devastating to our entire team,” Ghali said, adding that he “had no underlying conditions.”
Letlow leaves behind his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, 3-year-old Jeremiah. and 11-month-old Jacqueline.
“The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time,” Letlow’s spokesman Andrew Bautsch said in a statement.
Of course, Letlow us a perfect example of how the media immediately labels everything a “coronavirus death.”
While the congressman died of something that was related to the virus, he didn’t strictly die of the virus itself. This was another case of a “related” death, not a direct death.
His death is a blow to his family and constituents, nonetheless.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston.
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