The world is in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown orders have been put in place not so much to totally stop the spread of the virus but simply to slow down its spread to a level that a country’s healthcare system can handle.
Even then, health workers around the world are being pushed to the brink with some areas seeing hospitals bursting to the seams with coronavirus cases.
This is why it’s sad that there are hard-headed people who do not follow social distancing and other safety guidelines. Remember, these guidelines are there not only to minimize the risk of getting infected by the virus but also to minimize the chance of YOU infecting others in case you’re already infected but are unaware.
Some doctors and nurses have been sharing pictures of themselves as they’re desperately fighting on the coronavirus frontlines and seeing how much these people are sacrificing are enough to make one stop and think.
If you’re tempted to just go out and hang out with your friends, first take a look at these pictures and read their stories. Perhaps they will be enough to make you reconsider.
#1
“Because after 4 years of being an ER nurse, I suddenly feel like I know nothing.point 195 | Because my face hurts after wearing an N95 for 13 f**king hours, which happens to be the same N95 I wore yesterday for 12.point 294 |
5 hours, and the same one from all last week.point 36 | I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the statement “but this is what you signed up for”.point 117 | Just, no.point 125 | I signed up to take care of sick patients, yes.point 163 | I did not sign up to be unprotected by their sickness (although my hospital is busting their asses to try to protect us).point 262 |
I did not sign up to be yelled at by angry patients because our government failed to be prepared.point 79 | I did not sign up to risk mine and my family’s health and safety because people wanted to go on their vacations after they said NOT to.point 190 | An ER nurse in New York died today of COVID-19.point 228 |
He was in his 40s and had very mild asthma.point 34 | That’s it.point 45 | This is not just a tall tale, this is the real risk.point 86 | I have to go into every patient’s room and in the back of my mind I think “this could be the patient that gets me sick… that kills me”.point 205 |
“This could be the patient that gives me the virus I bring home to my children or asthmatic husband”.point 87 | This is my new reality.point 106 | But this is only the beginning.point 132 | We haven’t even scratched the surface of the impact of what this illness is going to make on our country.point 220 |
And I’m scared.point 15 | ”point 22 | 1
#2
“This is unlike any pic in my feed.point 182 | It doesn’t have the same “aesthetic.point 217 |
” But seriously, eff the aesthetic.point 32 | ???? ?? ???? ????.point 47 | This is the face of a COVID ICU nurse.point 77 | Blood, sweat, and tears – literally.point 114 | This is what healthcare workers are putting in to save these patients.point 173 | And lots ARE recovering! But, we cannot save them all.point 218 |
• You can see the exhaustion all over my face.point 51 | I’ve been working 12 hour night shifts (I am not a night shifter normally).point 115 | I’m a Peds Nurse now working on an Adult Unit.point 154 | A COVID ICU.point 164 | These are times I’ll never forget.point 195 | But please don’t call me a “hero.point 226 |
” I appreciate the sentiments, but I am just doing my job.point 49 | • They’re saying the SURGE in Indiana should be starting late this week.point 119 | Pray for your healthcare workers, the patients that will become critically ill, and the families of those patients as there are no visitors allowed.point 244 |
Stay home! You aren’t “stuck” at home, you’re SAFE at home!”point 64 | 1
#3
“Wearing a mask for 12 hours straight.point 227 |
Reusing a mask for at least 3 days, or until it is visibly soiled.point 53 | Placing it in a paper bag after a shift until the next day.point 100 | This virus is real, and people are sick, fighting for their lives.point 155 | Young people with NO health problems are sick, old people are sick and people are dying.point 228 |
I am still seeing people having get-togethers and hanging out.point 53 | It’s infuriating.point 71 | Why are you so careless about your health, your friends health and your families.point 139 | Just because you don’t have symptoms does not mean you are not carrying it.point 203 |
I want you to all to DO BETTER.point 24 | Be smarter.point 34 | Stay safe.point 43 | ”point 50 | 1
#4
“This is the face of reality.point 202 |
This is the face going through hell.point 30 | This is the face full of pressure damage from wearing PPE for almost 13 hours a day.point 98 | This is the face of someone who fears for her own health and all her colleagues, past and present.point 178 | This is the face of someone putting their life on the line for your families.point 241 |
This is the face of someone who hasn’t seen their own family for nearly a month.point 71 | This is the face of someone who holds your dying family member’s hand, so they’re never alone.point 161 | This is the face of someone who is exhausted, but will continue to fight Covid-19.point 229 |
This is the face of someone who will carry on, no matter what.point 50 | This is the face of someone who is proud to stand on the frontline with all key workers.point 121 | This is the face of someone who wants lock down to end.point 165 | This is the face that is begging you, to NOT go out this Easter weekend.point 223 |
This is the face that is begging you to abide by the social distancing rules.point 63 | This is the face of an ICU nurse that is begging you: to stay inside, protect us, protect the NHS and help us save lives.point 160 | ”point 167 | 1
#5
“I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, furious for not having enough or quality PPE, scared of carrying the virus to home or contracting myself; I’m physically and mentally drained, and maybe somewhat proud of myself for helping to fight this pandemic.point 514 |
My shift was a whirlwind.point 21 | I never saw patients crashing so fast before.point 59 | By the morning most of the patients were on ventilator or waiting for ventilator to be available.point 140 | Every admitted patient has pneumonia and literally every patient has Covid-19.point 208 |
I wonder what happened to other diseases ? ?!.point 38 | You know what’s more sad? As I finally sit down to document on my patient’s chart, I see multiple patients with same last name.point 146 | Coincidence? Nope.point 163 | They’re from the same family ?.point 191 | Brothers, couple, son/daughter and mother/father.point 236 |
Sadder than that? People dying alone in a hospital bed, not being able to see family members for days and family not being able to say their goodbyes.point 123 | PEOPLE PLEASE STAY HOME TO STAY ALIVE!!!”point 164 | 1
#6
“That barrier is one of which that keeps me safe from bringing the virus home.point 355 |
I am mentally exhausted after each shift.point 35 | I pray everyday that I do the right thing by my patient and by my family.point 93 | This Easter, the prayer on everyone’s lips are the same… help keep us safe, hope for an end to this pandemic and to pray for those affected by this virus.point 226 |
Jesus has died and risen to save us.point 29 | Easter to me is about hope.point 51 | Let’s all do our part.point 71 | We are all in this together”point 100 | 1
#7
“I think by now you all know I’m a nurse, and most of you are probably sick of seeing me in scrubs with my new busted face.point 326 |
Which is fine, I get sick of myself too sometimes.point 41 | As a nurse, it’s my job to advocate for my patients, so that’s what I’m going to do.point 114 | I’ve been seeing so much bulls**t lately, so many angry Americans protesting and spewing their idiotic agendas.point 211 |
Freedom of speech is a great thing, but uneducated takes on what is actually happening in the world is not.point 88 | I fully admit I was apprehensive about this virus- everything I read made me think it was just a hyped up flu.point 177 | I work on a surgical unit, which was converted into one of the first COVID units in my hospital.point 255 |
I took my first COVID patient almost 2 months ago, and it feels like it’s been about 12 years since I’ve taken care of anything other than COVID.point 122 | I have seen more death in 2 months than I have in my 2 short years as a nurse.point 182 | After most of my shifts, I go home and cry.point 216 |
While many of the patients are elderly with comorbidities, putting them at higher risk of dying, it was not their time to go.point 103 | I am sick & tired of these protestors, these conspiracy riddled morons, walking around with their signs downplaying the tragedy we’ve all been living, just because they’re bored in their f**king houses.point 282 |
You are taking away so much from the people who have lost loved ones they couldn’t say goodbye to.point 82 | So I’m speaking for them- for my patients who have died, for the ones who have recovered and gone home, and for the ones we’re still trying to help get back on their feet.point 224 |
Please stay home, please let us continue to heal.point 41 | The longer you do so, the sooner we can get back to normal”point 94 | 1
#8
“This beats taking off the worst bra or pair of heals. Ever. EVER. My nose feels like a sunburn, but I didn’t see any sun today. Stay home guys. Stay safe.”
#9
“And to think, this was only after spending one hour in the room, during an admission, using the interpreter services.point 228 |
The gowns are hot, I’m sweaty, and masks are itchy.point 44 | I stopped wearing face makeup to work (only mascara on) because the surgical masks, and N95 cannot be cleaned properly if there is makeup is on them.point 167 | Even though I recently got canceled from my current assignment, my floor is still very busy.point 244 |
I’m looking for a new job.point 23 | I still have two weeks left at my current hospital.point 65 | Im staying positive, there’s always jobs around here.point 113 | It will work out”point 133 | 1
#10
“Last shift was rough because I had a patient start to crash and family can’t come.point 331 |
Do you know what it is like to tell family their loved one is passing, but they can’t come say goodbye? I do.point 89 | I also know what it is like to go into a high risk room multiple times so every possible person can talk to their loved one to say goodbye.point 200 | This is my job.point 212 |
I would not trade it.point 17 | I risk my health and honestly my families to do this job.point 63 | Be safe.point 70 | Be smart.point 78 | ”point 85 | 1
Replaced!