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While on the ventilator, Doughan was sedated for weeks to minimize the traumatic experience, Otto said. He's now improving, and his tracheostomy tube was recently removed.

On Nov. 10, Otto took to Facebook and shared a public PSA on what it's like to have a loved one fight the virus.

\"I try to remind myself that the general public cannot grasp how truly terrible it is, because they don't see it with their own eyes,\" she wrote. \"For some reason mask wearing and caring about the health of others has been politicized. But when it comes down to it, that's selfish. If you cannot wear a mask in public and avoid large gatherings, it's a selfish choice.\"

\"PHOTO:
Bridget Otto
PHOTO: Dwight Doughan tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 19. Doughan was intubated and placed on a ventilator before being flown to University of Iowa Hospital where his daughter works. He is a corn and soy bean farmer.
>

Otto's post went on: \"I have watched countless family members grieve the loss of loved ones due to this terrible virus. I have taken those family members' bodies to the morgue because of this virus. It is unlike anything I've ever experienced in my 7 years in critical care. This was almost us as a family. We are so truly lucky we still have my dad...\"

\"PHOTO:
Bridget Otto
PHOTO: Bridget Otto is an intensive care unit nurse at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics' dedicated hospital for treating COVID-19 patients. Otto's dad, Dwight Doughan, tested positive on Sept. 19. Doughan is a 69-year-old father of three.
>

\"My experience is very personal, [but] even if it helps inspire one person to wear a mask or change their social habits ... the holidays are coming up and for big reasons it's looming over our heads as health care workers,\" she continued. \"Are people going to listen to us or are we going to suffer in a few weeks? We cant just depend on a vaccine to come out and make this all go away. The hospitals are full. We need to be proactive and not reactive right now. There's a lot of misinformation.\"

\"PHOTO:
Bridget Otto
PHOTO: Bridget Otto is an intensive care unit nurse at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics' dedicated hospital for treating COVID-19 patients. Her dad Dwight Doughan tested positive on Sept. 19. Here he's pictured with his grandson Graham, 6 months.
>

Doughan is currently recovering at an acute rehab facility where his other daughter works. He's looking forward to getting back to his grandfather duties, including his youngest, Graham, who is 6 months.

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