COVID-19 Puts CA Firefighter in Disney Picture on Ventilator

A California firefighter immortalized in a Disney portrait honoring firefighters is on a ventilator because of COVID-19.

Anaheim Fire Capt. Dave Baker is among seven firefighters who have tested positive for the virus, according to reports. He is one of two Anaheim firefighters hospitalized by the illness, KCAL-TV reports.

“We believe the first original case was related to exposure on a call serving our community,” a city spokesman told the TV station. “That is just the nature of coronavirus and risk of exposure that we might all encounter in our daily lives.”

Four of the infected firefighters have recovered and are expected to be back on duty soon. One firefighter is isolating at home.

As a rookie in 1993, Baker posed for Disney's tribute to firefighters for National Firefighters Day, according to a Chip and Co., a Disney theme park news site. The image, which was reproduced for lithographs, postcards and other items, was notable because it was the first time Mickey Mouse was looking up at a person.