It's just been revealed in a (must-read) Los Angeles Times article that Devo cofounder Mark Mothersbaugh spent his summer battling COVID-19. He was not only isolated from his family for three months but the virus caused him to have delusions while hospitalized.
Mothersbaugh's delusions lasted more than two weeks during his time both on and off the ventilator. In fact, the artist didn't contract the virus that causes COVID-19 while shopping in Little Tokyo. He caught it shuttling between his house and his Sunset Strip offices and studios in late May. His family was in Palm Springs. After he tested positive, he insisted on isolating by himself.
Three harrowing months later, Mothersbaugh and his family are back together and virus free. His experience, he says, was devastating. It was also unfortunately instructive, as it confirms an argument that he and his groundbreaking band, Devo, have been making for nearly 50 years.
"Everything's become more devolved than I would have imagined possible," he said. "For anybody that's doubting whether the coronavirus and COVID-19 is real, it's really real."
…"Before COVID, I was like, 'Yeah, I'm starting to feel about 50 now, and I'm 70.' When I was in the hospital, I was feeling like I was about 90. And now I'm back to 70, and I'm trying to get back to 50. That's my goal."
He's at home now, working again. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Previously: The shield you want — DEVO selling Energy Dome PPE face shields
