Donald Reed Herring, the eldest sibling of former presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren, has passed away due to complications related to COVID-19. Herring, who was 86, died on a Tuesday night in Oklahoma, approximately three weeks after he tested positive for the virus.
A Heartfelt Statement
Senator Warren disclosed the heartbreaking news in a heartfelt statement to the Boston Globe, expressing her gratitude toward the healthcare workers who cared for her brother. “I’m thankful for the nurses and the frontline staff who attended to my brother, yet it pains me to know he faced this alone without family to hold his hand or share those final words of love. Now, there’s no funeral to bring us together for support. I will deeply miss my brother,” she shared.
A Life of Service
Herring served in the U.S. Air Force for two decades and is survived by his sister and two other brothers, John and David. Throughout her presidential campaign, Senator Warren often reminisced about her brothers, proudly highlighting their military contributions, even featuring them in campaign videos despite differing political views among them.
COVID-19 Battle
While Senator Warren has been critical of the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic, she had not previously revealed her brother’s battle with the virus. Reports indicate that Herring was tested for COVID-19 in early April after multiple residents in his care facility contracted the virus. He received his positive test result the following day, but symptoms did not manifest until 11 days later. Following a decline in his health, Herring was admitted to intensive care at Norman Regional Hospital on April 15, where he sadly passed away six days later.
Challenges of the Pandemic
As many families have experienced during this crisis, Senator Warren was unable to visit her brother during his illness. The Boston Globe noted that she managed to speak with him daily before his hospitalization, but communication became increasingly challenging as his condition worsened.
Reflections on Their Relationship
Reflecting on their relationship, Senator Warren, who is 16 years younger than Herring, wrote in her autobiography, A Fighting Chance, about her earliest memories of him: “My first memory of Don Reed was when he left for the service and then of his wedding. He was adventurous and dashing, and his very existence was like a distant light.”
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, Elizabeth Warren’s brother, Herring, lost his life to COVID-19, highlighting the emotional toll of the pandemic on families. As we navigate these trying times, it’s essential to come together and support one another.
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