Hana Horka: Czech singer dies after catching Covid intentionally
By Ben Tobias
BBC News
IMAGE
Hana Horka was part of the folk group, Asonance
A folk singer from the Czech Republic has died after deliberately catching Covid, her son has told the BBC.
Hana Horka, 57, was unvaccinated and had posted on social media that she was recovering after testing positive, but died two days later.
Her son, Jan Rek, said she got infected on purpose when he and his father had the virus, so she could get a recovery pass to access certain venues.
The Czech Republic reported a record number of cases on Wednesday.
Mr Rek and his father both caught Covid over Christmas, despite being fully vaccinated. But he said his mother had decided not to stay away from them, preferring instead to expose herself to the virus.
"She should have isolated for a week because we tested positive. But she was with us the whole time," he said.
Proof of vaccination or recent infection from the virus is required in the Czech Republic to gain entry to many social and cultural venues, including cinemas, bars and cafes.
His mother was a member of one of the oldest Czech folk groups, Asonance. She had wanted to catch Covid so there would be fewer restrictions on her movement, Mr Rek explained.
She did her own research.
