Leah Messer’s Pandemic Panic: Twins’ Illnesses Raise COVID-19 Fears on Teen Mom 2

As the summer of 2020 began to unfold, marking a tentative emergence from the unprecedented global lockdowns, a pervasive sense of anxiety still lingered. For millions across the United States, including the beloved cast members of MTV’s Teen Mom 2, the threat of COVID-19 remained a very real and terrifying concern. It was during this period of uncertainty that Leah Messer, a central figure on the reality series, found herself plunged into a terrifying health scare involving her twin daughters, Aleeah Grace and Aliannah Hope.

The episode, which aired on November 24th, showcased the raw, unfiltered reality of navigating a pandemic while cameras rolled. In a back-to-back special, almost every cast member underwent a COVID-19 test, a stark reflection of the nationwide efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. This widespread testing provided a dramatic backdrop to the personal stories unfolding. Among those awaiting results was Chelsea Houska, who had recently shared the exciting news of her fourth pregnancy with husband Cole DeBoer. Fortunately for Chelsea, and Briana DeJesus’ sister, their tests came back negative, offering a moment of relief in a world riddled with stress. However, for Leah Messer, the situation was far less straightforward, leading to a period of intense worry and a heartbreaking scenario that many parents could unfortunately relate to during that difficult year.

The alarm bells first rang when Leah’s daughter, Aleeah Grace, began exhibiting symptoms of illness. In a time when every cough or sniffle brought immediate fear, Aleeah’s condition quickly raised concerns for Leah and her ex-husband, Corey Simms. The initial thought that gripped both parents was the dreaded possibility of COVID-19. This fear was amplified by the recent changes in their routine; Aleeah had just reunited with Corey after a two-week quarantine period and had eagerly returned to her regular cheerleading practices. The combination of post-quarantine interaction and renewed social activity made the prospect of exposure seem terrifyingly plausible to Leah and Corey, who were already trying to navigate the complexities of co-parenting under unprecedented global health threats.

Leah’s concern escalated rapidly when she discovered that Gracie had a high fever, reaching a alarming 103.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This undeniable symptom solidified their decision to take immediate action. Understanding the gravity of the situation and the sheer uncertainty that characterized the early days of the pandemic, Leah and Corey wisely decided to get both twin girls, Aleeah Grace and Aliannah Hope, tested for COVID-19. Their primary goal was to definitively rule out the virus, which at the time, presented a significant health risk and an even greater emotional burden for families. The wait for the results was undoubtedly fraught with anxiety, as parents worldwide held their breath, hoping for good news amidst the rising tide of infections.

Fortunately, after what must have felt like an eternity of waiting and worrying, the relief that washed over Leah and Corey was immense. The test results came back negative for COVID-19. However, the girls were indeed sick, and the diagnosis revealed a common, albeit still unpleasant, childhood ailment: strep throat. While any illness is unwelcome, particularly in young children, the strep throat diagnosis, in the context of 2020, felt like a monumental victory. It was a moment of profound gratitude and a significant weight lifted from the shoulders of both parents, knowing their daughters were not battling the virus that was dominating headlines and causing so much devastation globally.

The relief was palpable, not just for Leah, who had carried the immediate burden of her daughters’ illness, but also for Corey. He was, in his own words, “ecstatic” to learn the diagnosis. The girls themselves, despite facing the discomfort of strep throat, also expressed how “happy” they were to find out their true condition. This seemingly counterintuitive joy in a strep diagnosis perfectly encapsulated the bizarre and challenging year that was 2020. Corey, with his characteristic humor, even lightened the mood by joking about how peculiar it was to find such profound relief in a strep diagnosis, subtly poking fun at the sheer madness and heightened anxiety that had become the new normal for everyone.

This episode of Teen Mom 2 offered viewers a poignant and incredibly relatable glimpse into the struggles faced by families during the early stages of the pandemic. Leah Messer’s journey through fear, uncertainty, and ultimately, relief, resonated deeply with audiences. It underscored the universal parental instinct to protect one’s children at all costs, especially when confronted with an unknown and menacing health threat. The show, through Leah’s story, highlighted the emotional toll taken by the pandemic, demonstrating how even a diagnosis of strep throat could become a reason for celebration in a world grappling with a much more formidable enemy. The co-parenting dynamic between Leah and Corey, working together to ensure their daughters’ well-being, further emphasized the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility during such trying times.

The events surrounding Aleeah Grace and Aliannah Hope’s illness served as a powerful reminder of the anxieties that permeated daily life in 2020. From the cautious steps taken to emerge from lockdown to the vigilance required to protect loved ones, every decision was weighed against the backdrop of the global health crisis. For Leah Messer, a routine childhood illness transformed into a high-stakes medical drama, one that thankfully concluded with a positive outcome, allowing her and Corey to focus on treating strep throat rather than battling a more insidious virus. This narrative not only captivated viewers but also provided a collective moment of empathy and understanding, reflecting the shared human experience of navigating an unprecedented era with courage and hope.

Want more drama and insights into the lives of your favorite reality stars? Be sure to find out what happened in the first episode of this compelling back-to-back special. And don’t miss new episodes of Teen Mom 2, airing Tuesdays at 8pm on MTV, to keep up with all the ongoing challenges and triumphs of these resilient young mothers.