EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, AUSTIN NORTH CENTRAL and EXTENDED STAY AMERICA CORPORATE HQ ESA REVIEW PART 2 OF 2 - DECEMBER 2019 TO JUNE 2020 EXPOSURE TO "TOXIC BLACK MOLD" LED TO "PNEUMONIA" LED TO COVID-19" AUSTIN, CHARLOTTE TEXAS, NORTH CAROLINA

OUR EXPERIENCES (mother and adult daughter) in a hotel with "TOXIC BLACK MOLD" that we believe further, and seriously compromised, and harmed our immune systems both short and long-term.  We both have a pre-existing condition of "ALLERGIC ASTHMA."

INTRODUCTION:

Our "ALLERGIC ASTHMA" symptoms worsened, leading TO "PNEUMONIA" leading TO "COVID-19" during our stay at this hotel.  (Note COVID-19 was not really publicly known about initially at that time but became known further on during our stay at the hotel).

BACKGROUND:

Shortly after checking in we noticed that our asthma symptoms began to flair up more, then worsened as time went on.  It got to the point that we were having very frequent, and severe asthma attacks that would not completely subside even with the use of our medications and natural remedies.  Our ability to breathe normal ranged from mild restrictions very limited.

It came to a point that our allergy pills, cortisone inhalers, rescue inhalers, nasal sprays (Flonase), natural remedies of oils or oregano, peppermint, and tea tree, Breath Deep Tea etc. were becoming ineffective and more life-threatening.

"PANIC ATTACKS" also became prevalent AND debilitating.  When you can not breathe your stress levels increase dramatically which magnifies the situation even more.  It was very traumatic for us, to say the least.

It was challenging at times to even walk from the bed to the kitchen, or bathroom which were short distances away.  Even to have a shower, if an asthma attack would occur that required  the use of a rescue inhaler, we had to lean over the tub until the restricted breathing somewhat passed.

The situation got progressively worse, so much so, that in early 2020 my daughter had to rush me to the hospital where I was admitted in severe respiratory distress.  My Oxygen Saturation Levels were at approximately 85% - Hypoxia & Dyspnea.

(NOTE:  Normal blood-oxygen levels are around 97%.  At levels below 90%, the brain may not get sufficient oxygen, and people might start experiencing confusion, lethargy or other mental disruptions. As levels drop into the low 80s or below, the danger of damage to vital organs rises.)

On at least 2 occasions during our hotel stay we had to call 911-FIRST RESPONDERS, that also came with an ambulance crew. We were experiencing severe respiratory distress and could not breathe.

My daughter and I are still working daily on our long-term healing from the resulting health issues, that is believed started, and became exacerbated from staying at this hotel.

OUR TWO ROOMS AT THIS HOTEL:

Upon arrival we were checked into a room on the 3rd floor. The carpets were stained with pet markings and other unidentifiable marks, chairs had stains, the walls had smears of what appeared to be blood and food type spatter, crayon markings, there was food in the cabinets, mold in the fridge with a broken plastic crisper drawer, plugs had some broken cover plates, some of the electrical outlets did not work, there was black mold on the bathroom tiles, and tub surround that was caulked to try and hide it, the faucets and tub drain plug were covered in calcium deposits and some rust, the overhead bathroom lights had missing bulbs, there was black mold staining under the bathroom and kitchen sinks, pee and blood stains on the mattress, ripped bedding sheets, garbage under the bed from previous guests, a layer of dust on the nightstands, pictures, fridge etc., several of the window sills were water damaged, as well as, several windows would not open from them being swelled.  We managed to get one open hoping for some fresh air and noticed black mold, the A/C had removable filters that were wet and loaded with dust and other debris…just a beginning for this room.

We also noticed after approximately a week, there was a water leak in the ceiling down the hall from our room.  The carpet was saturated with water that it would squish when you walked on it.  You could look up into the ceiling area as they had removed a section of the ceiling.  It was all black.  This leak remained that way for approximately 2 weeks until they finally brought some hi-powered fans in to try and dry out the carpet.  A repair was done shortly afterwards but the carpet remained wet for quite a long period of time as it was winter time in Texas.

Prior to being released from hospital my daughter requested a room on the 1st floor (same floor as reception lobby) so I would not have to walk so far to go outside.  This room was just as disgusting as the first one on the third floor.  Many of the same issues however there were some differences.  The floor near the windows were the A/C in living room was, was soaked with water about a foot into the room.  You could see where the mold was growing in the areas closest to the wall.  The wetness of the carpet was consistently there and became worse after a heavy rain which led us to believe that the membrane around the building may be compromised to allow water to seep through the concrete and other supposed barriers if there were any.  Again the list was endless.  And many of the pictures I have uploaded show the state of the hotel.  As well as, there are numerous photos on the internet of the same and/or similar issues posted by other consumers that either pre/post date our stay.  All in all it further proves that the hotel knows about these issues because in the management’s responses to the consumers they lamely apologize.

CONSUMERS BEWARE:  In our opinion this hotel is "NOT HABITABLE" for people to stay at due to the "TOXIC BLACK MOLD" issues that definitely appear to have been long standing.  Where the ESA management has allegedly for years, known about and repeatedly ignored the serious health issues posed for the public in their hotel.  As well as, failed to have the matter remedied for the health and safety of the paying patrons and/or staff that work there.

CONSUMER REVIEWS going back to approximately 2009 to present speak of the same and or similar issues and experiences as ours.  The hotel’s GM’s and other representatives for this establishment are clearly robotic in their responses to consumer’s complaints and issues.  The hotel management constantly apologize BUT nothing appears to ever be done because the pattern of behaviors reported by numerous consumers remains the same, and appears to have  remained that way for years.

AS CONSUMERS OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WE NEED TO PROTECT OURSELVES IN SITUATIONS WHERE A HOTEL(S) DO NOT GIVE A "F***K ABOUT YOU!!!  THEIR PRIMARY CONCERN IS NOT YOUR HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SECURITY WHICH CAN BE EASILY TRACKED BY THE THOUSANDS OF CONSUMER REVIEWS ONLINE, INCLUDING OURS SHOWING THE "PATTERNS OF BEHAVIORS".   TO THE HOTEL MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE, ITS ALL ABOUT THEIR BOTTOM LINE AND MAKING MONEY FROM YOU, AND IN NUMEROUS CASES TO THE CONSUMER’S DETRIMENT!

TOXIC BLACK MOLD:

Severe mold allergies cause more severe symptoms, including shortness of breath. Mold exposure may also worsen asthma or lung problems in people with preexisting lung conditions.

Mayo Clinic Information can be found online through a google search.

SYMPTOMS:

A mold allergy causes the same signs and symptoms that occur in other types of upper respiratory allergies. Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by a mold allergy can include:

• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough and postnasal drip
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat
• Watery eyes
• Dry, scaly skin

Mold allergy symptoms vary from person to person and range from mild to severe.

MOLD ALLERGY AND ASTHMA:

If you have a mold allergy and asthma, your asthma symptoms can be triggered by exposure to mold spores. In some people, exposure to certain molds can cause a severe asthma attack. Signs and symptoms of asthma include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness

COMPLICATIONS:

Most allergic responses to mold involve hay fever-type symptoms that can make you miserable but aren't serious. However, certain allergic conditions caused by mold are more severe. These include:

• Mold-induced asthma. In people allergic to mold, breathing in spores can trigger an asthma flare-up. If you have a mold allergy and asthma, be sure that you have an emergency plan in case of a severe asthma attack.

• Allergic fungal sinusitis. This results from an inflammatory reaction to fungus in the sinuses.

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This reaction to fungus in the lungs can occur in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis.

• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This rare condition occurs when exposure to airborne particles such as mold spores causes lung inflammation. It can be triggered by exposure to allergy-causing dust at work.

SYMPTOMS THAT CORONAVIRUS AND TOXIC MOLD ILLNESS SHARE IN COMMON:

Some common symptoms of "COVID-19" that could also be caused by exposure to toxic mold include:

·      Dry cough

·      Shortness of breath

·      Asthma flare-up

·      Fatigue

·      Muscle and body aches

·      Digestive issues/diarrhea

·      “Brain fog” or disorientation

As you can see, several symptoms of toxic mold illness could easily pass for COVID symptoms. One glaring exception is fever, which is not a commonly listed symptom for toxic mold. If a moderate to high fever accompanies the above symptoms, it’s more likely to be related to some sort of viral infection

ASPERGILLOSIS IS AN INFECTION CAUSED BY A TYPE OF MOLD (FUNGUS). The illnesses resulting from aspergillosis infection usually affect the respiratory system, but their signs and severity vary greatly.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON FUNGAL INFECTION ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19?:

People with severe "COVID-19", such as those in an intensive care unit (ICU), are particularly vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections. The most common fungal infections in patients with "COVID-19" include aspergillosis or invasive candidiasis. These fungal co-infections are reported with increasing frequency and can be associated with severe illness and death.

SOME OTHER GUESTS' PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AT THIS HOTEL - SAME/SIMILAR TO OURS:

I/We had the opportunity of meeting several other guests including their families.  The following information contains details about issues they also faced, similar to ours, that include but are not  just limited to the toxic mold.  There were numerous other issues that arose, were going on, and blatantly ignored by the hotel, as well as, not remedied for the protection of the guests staying there.

1. OUT OF STATE woman had begun her stay at the hotel and shortly thereafter as told to me by her, she suffered "PNEUMONIA" that required "HOSPITALIZATION" for several days.  Upon release she checked out the following day.  She commented about the mold and mildew smell in her room and around the hotel and believed it contributed greatly to her getting pneumonia.

1. TEXAS RESIDENTS adult woman and her two sons began their long-term stay at the hotel.  Her one son suffered from "ASTHMA." He used medications including a rescue inhaler to control his symptoms if a situation arose.  During their stay they noticed that his "Asthma" symptoms worsened while he was at the hotel.  I recall on at least one occasion, I personally witnessed her have to call "911-FIRST RESPONDERS AND AMBULANCE" to attend at the hotel to treat his severe "ASTHMA ATTACK" combined with a "PANIC ATTACK" due to the fact he was in severe respiratory distress.

His mom said that she would constantly complain to hotel staff about the mold and weed smell throughout the hotel.  The "BLACK MOLD" could be seen around the tub tiles and where they join to the tub and where someone caulked around to try and hide it, mold stains in cabinets where there had been water leaks.  Water stains and mold on the ceiling from previous leaks, broken items in the room, missing lights, blood and urine stains on mattresses, unidentifiable stains on carpets, window sills swollen and windows would either not open or barely open due to swelling from water damage, billing disputes for either overcharging or charging her credit card without consent, garbage smell and loads of trash in the stairwells and around perimeter of building that often times was overflowing; hotel perimeter doors being propped open; non-guests hanging around and walking through hallways; or hanging outside trying to sell weed or other illicit drugs, or what appeared to be very young girls and adult women, some appeared to be 7 months pregnant who were soliciting other hotel patrons for sex, or bringing their party back to their hotel room for sex, or catching what is believed to be a (((AGAINST TOS))) in the hotel parking lot late at night.

It appeared that her numerous repeated requests fell on deaf ears because when the old GM Tracy was fired and Dell took on that role, he told her to leave if she wasn’t happy because she was complaining too much.  Dell in his aggressive approach later on decided to kick her out even though she had been there a fair amount of time and needed to be there while she searched for a new place to live.  Her requests for resolution on unresolved issues presented was reasonable but not addressed and fixed.  Dell told her that if she didn’t leave he would get her charged with trespassing and would have her and whoever else staying in their room, arrested and removed.

1. OTHER TRAVELING FAMILIES / FAMILIES RELOCATING TO TEXAS FOR WORK and those with young children were also regularly complaining about similar issues being experienced and nothing was being done by hotel staff OR management. The usual response by hotel management was telling the paying patrons to "Get Out And Leave If They Did Not Like It!"

The black mold; mildew; constant weed smell, pimps, drug dealers driving the parking lot daytime and night, drug needles strewn around the perimeter of the property and not being picked up for days sometimes weeks, ongoing prostitution; "P/T SECURITY GUARD" (their part-time security guard who would only be there on weekends, but to the understanding of several of us staying at the hotel, he was often times sleeping on the job during his shift, and relying solely on the surveillance monitors from the few cameras around the building.), "SAFETY OF GUESTS" (hotel’s outside perimeter doors being constantly propped open and items taped to the latch so anyone could enter especially those not paying guests at the hotel;  keycards being left at doors so non-paying transients could enter the building because several times they were found sleeping in the hallways, stairwells, in vacant rooms; the solicitation of drugs, prostitution, constant presence of police coming to arrest people; 911 calls with First Responders and Ambulance crews regularly coming to hotel to attend at a call…list is endless! 

ESA STAFF - It wasn’t until we had being staying at the hotel for a while that we started to find out more information of the goings on at this hotel.  It was communicated to us by several staff working there, that:

• The mold issue has been a problem there for a long time and guests complain about it all the time.  That the hotel management knows about it, ignores it, and chooses to do nothing to fix it.  And to their understanding they have no intention of fixing it because its too expensive to remove black mold.

• Some hotel staff state they avoid as much as possible, certain areas of the hotel because the mold smell is so bad it literally takes their breath away.  It has caused them to have allergy symptoms,  allergic reactions, or asthma attacks.

• The prostitution, drug dealing, people smoking weed (inside/outside hotel), non-paying guests propping open exterior doors, even windows of hotel, so transients can enter the hotel to sleep in the hallways, stairwells, or unoccupied rooms etc.  This was a regular occurrence.

• Morning breakfast items are restricted and only put out at a time when either the long-term families' kids staying there have left for school, or the drug addicts staying in hotel are not there so they do not hoard and take all the breakfast items (which by the way do not even match what ESA Corporate claims and advertises they offer patrons).  You are lucky if you get a granola bar.  There is no fresh fruit, and rarely are there any muffins etc.)

• The hotel’s maintenance man is rarely there (only comes in sporadically) because he is still recuperating from a brain aneurysm. (I found out from speaking with an HVAC guy, from Dallas, I believe, who was brought in to do repairs at the hotel.  I asked him directly if there was black mold in the areas that he was working.  He stated there was.  And that it was clear that the regular maintenance of the hotel appears to have not been kept up for years).

• Numerous complaints by guests of cockroaches; pee and blood stains on the mattress or sofa pull out; pungent mold smells and/or mold stains in cabinets or on ceilings from previous water leaks; black mold on shower tiles and in tubs covered over with caulking material to hide it; missing light bulbs in room; dirty and ripped bed sheets; wet carpets often times with mold growing are seen in common areas and guests’ rooms; pet odors and stains in carpets; rooms not cleaned because guests have found used condoms, sex toys under the beds or in dresser drawers along with other items from the previous guest; furniture stained or in disrepair; window sills swollen and windows not being able to be opened due to severe water damage, or they are defective and just slam down, or they are missing a screen.  The list here just touches the surface…it is endless!!

TOXIC BLACK MOLD LAWS IN TEXAS REGARDING HOTELS (Short & Long-Terms Guests (Long Term Guests after 30 Consecutive Days have a relationship as Landlord/Tenant but note does the hotel or State of Texas care about a mold issue in hotel?  Absolutely not! Which means they do not give a F**K about your health and safety either.

Two things my daughter and I learned early on during our time in Texas is that Texas Government Agencies we contacted and sought out for help are more interested in protecting the businesses and business owners over individuals/consumers, even though those businesses are allegedly knowingly and willingly causing serious detrimental harms including potentially long-terms harm to consumers.  The same goes for numerous attorneys there that we contacted for help.   Generally speaking, they would not take on our case, with the common thread being, we were essentially not permanently maimed according to them, or we did not fit their criteria though their websites advertised and published the cases they take on AND we did fit the criteria.  It appears they wanted cases where you were in a "vegetative state" per se in their minds!

IN OUR EXPERIENCE, GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHAT DOES THE APPLICABLE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS DO ABOUT HOTELS WITH SERIOUS TOXIC BLACK MOLD ISSUES?

THE ANSWER IS:  NOT A F***ING THING!!!!  DO THEY ENFORCE, PENALIZE, FINE, OR SHUT THEM DOWN IF THE HOTEL MANAGEMENT/OWNERS CONTINUES TO IGNORE AND REFUSE TO REMEDY THE SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES WITHIN THEIR ESTABLISHMENT?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!  THEY DO NOT GIVE A S**T!

To our understanding and belief, in Texas when you stay in a hotel longer than 30 consecutive days it reverts to a landlord/tenant relationship and this is what the governing Government agencies in Texas claim is the landlord’s responsibility:

"As a landlord, it's both your legal responsibility and a duty of care to your tenants to make sure your property is free of damp and mould. ... And because damp and mould can wipe thousands off a property's value, tackling the problem at the earliest stage will help ensure your investment isn't adversely affected.Feb 24, 2021"

Texas Government Departments and Agencies claim information on their websites or is communicated through their representatives BUT do they enforce it?  From the numerous calls I made to government agencies in Texas regarding ESA’s "TOXIC BLACK MOLD" issues I was passed around from agency to agency and they all essentially told me the same thing.  That there is no governing law in the State of Texas forcing hotels to remove mold from their property for the health and safety of their guests whether they are a short-term hotel guest or a long-term hotel guest that reverts to the Landlord/Tenant Relationship.  That the only licensing and governing laws, rules and regulations apply to those businesses and individuals doing "MOLD REMOVAL" at a residential or commercial property.

I WAS TOLD WHY DON’T YOU TRY THE "TEXAS MAYOR’S OFFICE" MAYBE YOU CAN FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AND MAYBE THEY WILL TAKE SOME ACTION BUT ITS HIGHLY UNLIKELY.

I WAS TOLD BY THE "TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES" through its "PUBLIC HEALTH SANITATION PROGRAM" representatives that they have no laws in place to force a hotel to clean up their mold issues that affect the health and safety of the guests staying there.  THE ONLY LAWS THEY HAVE REGARDING MOLD AND COMPLIANCE IS THOSE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS DOING MOLD REMOVAL AT A RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.  THAT IF THE HOTEL MANAGEMENT CHOOSES TO REMOVE THE TOXIC MOLD FROM THEIR PREMISES IT IS ENTIRELY VOLUNTARY ON THEIR PART.

I WAS TOLD BY THE "ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY" representatives that they DO NOT DO ENFORCEMENT AGAINST HOTEL PROPERTIES with "TOXIC MOLD ISSUES" even though it is deemed a health hazard.

I PHONED NUMEROUS OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN TEXAS AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING OR WAS PASSED AROUND FROM DEPARTMENT TO DEPARTMENT TO DEPARTMENT - "THE REFERRAL GAME!" WITH NO RESOLVE FOR OUR COMPLAINT OF THE TOXIC MOLD AT THIS HOTEL PROPERTY.

1. WHAT ARE THE MOLD LAWS IN TEXAS?

"Texas doesn't have any statutes or regulations that require landlords to disclose high concentrations of mold in rental properties to prospective tenants or buyers. Also, while federal law requires disclosures about lead paint, it doesn't impose a similar duty on landlords when it comes to mold."

State of Texas states this:

"All non-exempt mold assessors and remediators must be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). ... A person may hold licenses, but may not do both jobs on the same project. In addition, a person may not own an interest in both firms that do the assessment and the remediation on the same project."

As at today’s date, July 27, 2021, nothing has been done so far by Extended Stay America to remedy the harms done to us while staying at their hotel though they knew or should have known that the dangerous condition, toxic mold, existed on their premises, but failed to warn and/or failed to correct the dangerous conditions…the toxic mold caused us and potentially other consumers who may still not be aware that they became ill from the toxic mold at this hotel during their stay.