ORLANDO, Fla. -- The coronavirus pandemic has hit home for many people across Central Florida, and one business owner is using his personal experience to spread awareness.

Aerial Messages CEO Remy Colin lost a family member to COVID-19. Now, he’s passing along a message to folks in Central Florida, asking them to wear a mask.

So far, 2020 has provided plenty of turbulence for Colin.

“We actually lost my uncle," Colin explained. "He came to see a soccer game in New York.”

That was in February. Just a few days later, Colin’s 61-year-old uncle died in a hospital – on a ventilator. His 63-year-old father also tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to self-isolate for a month.

“He lost his sense of smell. He lost his taste buds while sick,” Colin said.

His business, which flies signs and banners over Central Florida, has taken a back seat, losing $300,000 so far this year.

“We fly mainly over big gatherings, and COVID is all about staying apart. No more gatherings,” Colin explained.

At least once a week, Remy flies a sign that he hopes will propel people to wear a mask. His message is one he hopes will land with many: "Stop Whining, Wear The Mask, Save Lives."

“Even if we don’t die from the virus, we will die from a financial crisis," Colin said from his Edgewater hanger. "So at this point the only things that there are, and it’s super easy to do, is stay your distance, wash your hands all the time, and wear the mask.”

He said he will keep flying his banner until coronavirus numbers in Florida flatten.

“Some of us need to step up to save lives because if no one steps up, no one will step up for us,” Colin said.

Colin flies his banner over Lake Eola, downtown Orlando, and anywhere he finds a face-covering protest.