A Filipino operations manager, 35, at an Amazon warehouse in Southern California died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Gerard Andrew Pelonio Tuzara was believed to have passed away last March 31 and was the first Amazon employee to have died from the disease, reported Daily Mail UK.
Turaza’s death was confirmed by Amazon’s spokesperson saying: “We are saddened by the passing of a member of our management team in Hawthorne, California. His family and loved ones are in our thoughts, and we are supporting his fellow colleagues,”
Details about where he contracted the disease was not immediately known, but reports said he went for a vacation in Mexico between March 6-20.
When he came back to the US, he experienced flu-like symptoms after a week, a separate report of Business Insider said.
Tuzara’s family and friends posted on Facebook touching tributes for him.
His father, Edgardo Tuzara, remembered him as a patient son who endured many trials in life.
“Naalala ko pa kahit ang mga panahon na naghihirap tayo at ang mga trials noon sa ating buhay ay naging matatag ka. Walang reklamo o ni daing o hinanakit sa mga nangyari sa atin, bagkus nagsumikap ka at naging mapagmahal na anak, kapatid at asawa kay Roan,” his father said.
“My loving son, Gerard Andrew Pelonio Tuzara, I know I cannot bring you back although I wish it every day but a piece of me went with you that day you went away. It’s so hard for me to accept that I will no longer see you, talk to you and hug you dearly. I wish you stayed with us but Heaven needed you.
“I am very sure you are in good hands right now. You were a very special person that God gave me, with kindness in your heart, respectful, and the love we had together grows stronger even now that we’re apart,” the older Tuzara posted on Facebook.
Based on his father’s Facebook post, Tuzara was a former U.S. Air Force Officer.
“He was a former U.S. Air Force Officer Veteran. For everyone sending their love, prayers and condolences, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I hope this plague ends so we can celebrate your life. God bless you all.”
His sister, Jess Tuzara, also remembered how he helped his family and brought them to the US.
“Salamat sa lahat ng sakripisyo mo samin, alam kong mahirap buhay mo bago kami nakapunta dito at sorry kasi malayo kami sayo, ni hindi man lang namin nasulit kasama ka. Kuya, it’s so hard to wrap my head around the idea that you’re in a better place because you’re better here – with us, but i know you’re with Him,” she said.
Tuzara’s death comes in the wake of a series of public outcry over safety issues of warehouse and delivery workers hounding the multi-billion dollar company.
On Tuesday, Senator Bernie Sanders on Twitter called out Amazon’s CEO to provide a better workplace for its employees.
“Instead of firing employees who want justice, maybe Jeff Bezos—the richest man in the world—can focus on providing his workers with paid sick leave, a safe workplace, and a livable planet,’ Sanders tweeted.
An article published by the Washington Post alleged that there are at least 74 Amazon facilities with employees who have been infected with COVID-19.
Amazon did not reveal any figures.
