'Polio Paul', who spent more than seven decades living in an 'iron lung', has died at the age of 78 – and his cause of death has been revealed.

Paul Alexander sadly passed away on Monday (March 11). He spent most of his life paralysed inside an iron lung after he was struck down by polio in Dallas, Texas, in 1952.

Reports have now suggested Mr Alexander caught Covid, which ultimately led to his death.


Polio Paul
Mr Alexander has lived in an iron lung for more than 70 years


Alexander contracted polio in 1952. As a result he could only move his head, neck and mouth for most of his life, a side effect seen in about one in 200 cases of the disease. Doctors then put him in the contraption that kept him alive for 70 years, reports The Mirror.

His death was announced on his GoFundMe page on Tuesday. The post read: "Paul Alexander, 'The Man in the Iron Lung', passed away yesterday. After surviving polio as a child, he lived over 70 years inside of an iron lung."

Last month Mr Alexander's social media manager took to TikTok to inform fans Paul had tested positive for the contagious disease. He said: "I know there has been a lot of questions and comments about where have the videos been, is Paul OK.

Polio Paul
Mr Alexander reportedly contracted Covid which ultimately caused his death 

"Last week he was unfortunately rushed to the emergency room in the hospital, he tested positive for Covid, which is really, really dangerous for somebody with his condition. Fortunately they have an iron lung at the hospital just for him, and he was able to come home this weekend. But unfortunately he's still kind of weak, he's still got some confusion going around, he's still struggling to eat and hydrate."

Despite Mr Alexander's difficult start in life he went on to become a lawyer and author, and his story inspired people around the world. The GoFundMe page continued: "In this time Paul went to college, became a lawyer, and a published author. His story travelled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world.

 

Polio Paul
Mr Alexander was an inspiration to many 
 

Anti-Vaccine Rabbi Sits on Prominent Ultra-Orthodox Panel as Measles Spread

Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, who calls vaccines a “hoax,” is on the policy-making council of the influential Agudath Israel of America. 
 
https://www.thecity.nyc/2019/05/23/anti-vaccine-rabbi-sits-on-prominent-ultra-orthodox-panel-as-measles-spread/

Lawyer, Author and TikTok Star Spent 72 Years in an Iron Lung

Paul Alexander, who died at 78, was paralyzed with polio at age 6 and relied on the machine to breathe. Still, he was able to earn a law degree, write a book and, late in life, build a following on TikTok.

 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/13/us/paul-alexander-iron-lung-dead.html
 
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/paul-alexander-78-year-old-dallas-man-who-lived-in-iron-lung-for-most-of-his-life-dies/