This is myself (in the fighter pilot helmet) hugging my daughter who had been working as an ICU nurse with strictly COVID prone vented patients for 4-6 weeks straight. She was struggling with her work and her inability to socialize - see family and friends - and working 12 hour shifts 5 or 6 days per week. She was a new nurse (only been in ICU for 4 months when COVID hit). She has a passion for elderly and hospice care (she worked at the VA in step down care the year before). I was getting calls from her in the middle of the night crying and hysterical because she was profoundly sad that COVID patients were coming in talking and walking and then would be on vents within 24 hours. The idea of not having anyone with them when they were dying was tearing her apart. She was seeing patients her own age, her parents age as well as older patients. She was seeing a large portion of the patients being black and hispanic. She was literally operating in a 'shock' mode. She was so worried about myself and my husband getting sick. I was so proud of her and worried for her own health and mental health but could do nothing other than face time and send her gifts. In this photo we met at a highway rest stop in Indiana (we each drove 2 hours to meet) and our family brought her the family dog to help with her sanity and be sure that she felt less alone in her Chicago apartment (which her roommate had moved out due to my daughter working strictly with COVID patients). Our dog stayed with her for 3 weeks and I truly believe that this saved her life (mentally at least). Her mood and ability to cope changed immediately. People need people (or dogs) and they need 'a reason to keep going and getting through the days'. Thanks for letting me share.
September 7, 2020
This week I have been feeling very angry at the south part of the United States... here in NY we were very obedient and worked hard to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We got it first and worst of anyone else in the country-- it makes me mad that we were able to get it under control while the rest of the United States acted stupid and now their stupidity could affect us again. I am also really angry with the president Trump. I HATE HIM SOOOOOOO much. I blame him and the Republicans for this mess we are in now. NY could be fully reopening if it wasn't for the rest of the country's stupid denial of science and medicine and refusal to wear masks. Sometimes I wish NY could separate from the rest of the USA. If Trump wins again I must move out of this country-- it is going down the drain and it makes me more upset than I can express. Now we are banned from Europe!?!!! So freaking sad and pathetic.
July 6, 2020