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Hospital Chaplains Try to Keep the Faith During the Coronavirus Pandemic Hospital Chaplains Try to Keep the Faith During the Coronavirus Pandemic
(1 day later)
The Rev. Leah Klug isn’t a stickler on religious rituals. As a hospital chaplain for Swedish Medical Group in the Seattle area, she makes do with the supplies she can find. Recently, she performed an anointing of the sick with mouthwash, because she didn’t have any oil on hand. She is accustomed to seeking the sacred in sterile rooms, reading psalms above the steady beep of a heart monitor.The Rev. Leah Klug isn’t a stickler on religious rituals. As a hospital chaplain for Swedish Medical Group in the Seattle area, she makes do with the supplies she can find. Recently, she performed an anointing of the sick with mouthwash, because she didn’t have any oil on hand. She is accustomed to seeking the sacred in sterile rooms, reading psalms above the steady beep of a heart monitor.
She described a visit last month to the room of a Covid-19 patient where she performed commendation of the dying. A nurse stood just outside, holding a phone on speaker so the woman’s family could say goodbye. Ms. Klug touched her mask for protection, then lowered a container of oil toward the patient’s head. She read out a verse from the Gospel of John. She suddenly felt a grief so profound that it seemed to swallow up her words. “It’s not supposed to be like this,” Ms. Klug said she thought to herself. “Her family is supposed to be here.”She described a visit last month to the room of a Covid-19 patient where she performed commendation of the dying. A nurse stood just outside, holding a phone on speaker so the woman’s family could say goodbye. Ms. Klug touched her mask for protection, then lowered a container of oil toward the patient’s head. She read out a verse from the Gospel of John. She suddenly felt a grief so profound that it seemed to swallow up her words. “It’s not supposed to be like this,” Ms. Klug said she thought to herself. “Her family is supposed to be here.”
She was frozen, then, in another wave of sorrow as she remembered: There would be many more solitary deaths in the months to come.She was frozen, then, in another wave of sorrow as she remembered: There would be many more solitary deaths in the months to come.
As emergency rooms are flooded by coronavirus patients and I.C.U.s exceed their capacities, hospital chaplains are finding their jobs changing. Certified in clinical pastoral work and tending to people of all faiths, chaplains are no strangers to daily tragedies. They serve as vessels for the grief and fear of patients and their families. They grasp the hands of the dying. They recite poetry to parents in mourning. When called upon, they deliver blessings to hospital staff.As emergency rooms are flooded by coronavirus patients and I.C.U.s exceed their capacities, hospital chaplains are finding their jobs changing. Certified in clinical pastoral work and tending to people of all faiths, chaplains are no strangers to daily tragedies. They serve as vessels for the grief and fear of patients and their families. They grasp the hands of the dying. They recite poetry to parents in mourning. When called upon, they deliver blessings to hospital staff.
But now chaplains are carrying more of their own grief and fear. Many worry about being infected with the virus and bringing it home to their families. They struggle to keep pace with new safety regulations that change how they minister to patients dying alone at a frequency few have seen in their chaplaincy careers.But now chaplains are carrying more of their own grief and fear. Many worry about being infected with the virus and bringing it home to their families. They struggle to keep pace with new safety regulations that change how they minister to patients dying alone at a frequency few have seen in their chaplaincy careers.
“We are walking in the valley of the shadow of death, along with our patients and their families,” said the Rev. Katherine GrayBuck, a chaplain at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. “My work usually brings me close to the end of life, and to death, but this is a whole new era.”“We are walking in the valley of the shadow of death, along with our patients and their families,” said the Rev. Katherine GrayBuck, a chaplain at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. “My work usually brings me close to the end of life, and to death, but this is a whole new era.”
Carly Misenheimer, a chaplain in Seattle, had her first brush with the fear of exposure in late February. It was the first day of Lent. The hospital hadn’t yet recognized the scale of the outbreak and full precautionary measures weren’t in place, so Ms. Misenheimer’s only equipment was a plastic container filled with ashes used for ceremonies, no gloves or a mask.Carly Misenheimer, a chaplain in Seattle, had her first brush with the fear of exposure in late February. It was the first day of Lent. The hospital hadn’t yet recognized the scale of the outbreak and full precautionary measures weren’t in place, so Ms. Misenheimer’s only equipment was a plastic container filled with ashes used for ceremonies, no gloves or a mask.
She visited a Catholic man in critical care and bent close to smudge ashes on his forehead. She sat by his bedside and read to him from Genesis: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Three days later, the man was pronounced Washington state’s first coronavirus death.She visited a Catholic man in critical care and bent close to smudge ashes on his forehead. She sat by his bedside and read to him from Genesis: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Three days later, the man was pronounced Washington state’s first coronavirus death.
The days after were a haze of self-isolation for Ms. Misenheimer, who “learned a bit about what patients experience behind the glass.” As she waited for the results of her own Covid-19 test, she relied on others for support.The days after were a haze of self-isolation for Ms. Misenheimer, who “learned a bit about what patients experience behind the glass.” As she waited for the results of her own Covid-19 test, she relied on others for support.
“I’m just overwhelmed by the reality that everyone is grieving the same thing right now,” Ms. Misenheimer said. “And it’s challenging to grieve in isolation.”“I’m just overwhelmed by the reality that everyone is grieving the same thing right now,” Ms. Misenheimer said. “And it’s challenging to grieve in isolation.”
When she learned she had tested negative, she steeled herself to return to work.When she learned she had tested negative, she steeled herself to return to work.
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The Rev. Milad Nakhla is a chaplain at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Wash., less than two miles from the nursing home that was one of the country’s most prominent sites of outbreak. At the start of March, much of his work consisted of phone calls to coronavirus patients from his home. But when families requested in-person visits with dying patients, Mr. Nakhla sat and offered words of comfort, because no one wants their loved ones to die alone.The Rev. Milad Nakhla is a chaplain at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Wash., less than two miles from the nursing home that was one of the country’s most prominent sites of outbreak. At the start of March, much of his work consisted of phone calls to coronavirus patients from his home. But when families requested in-person visits with dying patients, Mr. Nakhla sat and offered words of comfort, because no one wants their loved ones to die alone.
“I pray for peaceful transition and provide compassion with my presence,” Mr. Nakhla said. One 52-year-old patient asked Mr. Nakhla to call his son and request his forgiveness for a long-simmering fight. Another asked to hear the words of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd.”“I pray for peaceful transition and provide compassion with my presence,” Mr. Nakhla said. One 52-year-old patient asked Mr. Nakhla to call his son and request his forgiveness for a long-simmering fight. Another asked to hear the words of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd.”
“First I feel good that I helped the patient and family,” Mr. Nakhla said. “Then I feel fear. I ask, ‘Did the virus infect me?’ I believe God called on me to do something for these patients, but it’s a lot of mixed feelings.”“First I feel good that I helped the patient and family,” Mr. Nakhla said. “Then I feel fear. I ask, ‘Did the virus infect me?’ I believe God called on me to do something for these patients, but it’s a lot of mixed feelings.”
In mid-March, he came down with a sore throat and spent five days confined to his couch with a 104-degree fever. Mr. Nakhla, who has a 4-year-old daughter, said he was not able to be tested to determine whether he had Covid-19. He thinks it was likely, given his exposure; he took Tylenol and isolated himself, while his wife prayed for his recovery.In mid-March, he came down with a sore throat and spent five days confined to his couch with a 104-degree fever. Mr. Nakhla, who has a 4-year-old daughter, said he was not able to be tested to determine whether he had Covid-19. He thinks it was likely, given his exposure; he took Tylenol and isolated himself, while his wife prayed for his recovery.
At some hospitals, particularly in New York, safety regulations for patients infected with coronavirus are changing the way chaplains offer care.At some hospitals, particularly in New York, safety regulations for patients infected with coronavirus are changing the way chaplains offer care.
At Mount Sinai and NYU Langone Medical Center, chaplains are now doing much of their work by phone. Some said this method challenges their ability to interpret a patient’s emotional state, making it hard to determine what words of comfort or advice to offer.At Mount Sinai and NYU Langone Medical Center, chaplains are now doing much of their work by phone. Some said this method challenges their ability to interpret a patient’s emotional state, making it hard to determine what words of comfort or advice to offer.
At SUNY Downstate, in Brooklyn, many are speaking to patients from the doorways of their rooms. The Rev. Sharon Codner-Walker, director of pastoral care at Downstate, said she offers sacraments from a distance of six feet. She passes a sealed container of grape juice and a communion wafer to the nurse, who hands it to the patient.At SUNY Downstate, in Brooklyn, many are speaking to patients from the doorways of their rooms. The Rev. Sharon Codner-Walker, director of pastoral care at Downstate, said she offers sacraments from a distance of six feet. She passes a sealed container of grape juice and a communion wafer to the nurse, who hands it to the patient.
Ms. Codner-Walker said the six-foot distance rule disrupts the intimate conversations she typically has with the ill.Ms. Codner-Walker said the six-foot distance rule disrupts the intimate conversations she typically has with the ill.
“‘Have I been forsaken by God?’ That’s the type of question we tend to hear at the bedside,” she said. “Whatever sacred sign happens in the doorway, we can’t connect in the same way.”“‘Have I been forsaken by God?’ That’s the type of question we tend to hear at the bedside,” she said. “Whatever sacred sign happens in the doorway, we can’t connect in the same way.”
Updated June 1, 2020 Updated June 2, 2020
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
She believes, too, in offering words of prayer to those who are intubated and nonresponsive; she herself was once in a coma and credits the voice of a chaplain with easing her recovery.She believes, too, in offering words of prayer to those who are intubated and nonresponsive; she herself was once in a coma and credits the voice of a chaplain with easing her recovery.
Another change to her work is the increased time she spends tending to front-line staff. Ms. Codner-Walker says that in the face of illness and loss of life, nurses and physicians are typically stoic about their emotions. But the fear of infection they feel and the grief they are witnessing during the pandemic is making it difficult to compartmentalize their feelings. Ms. Codner-Walker said she listened for the “tremor” in their voices and offered them time to vent.Another change to her work is the increased time she spends tending to front-line staff. Ms. Codner-Walker says that in the face of illness and loss of life, nurses and physicians are typically stoic about their emotions. But the fear of infection they feel and the grief they are witnessing during the pandemic is making it difficult to compartmentalize their feelings. Ms. Codner-Walker said she listened for the “tremor” in their voices and offered them time to vent.
Some chaplains are finding that they are better able to offer comfort to staff and patients because of their own anxieties about the pandemic. When Ms. Klug, in Seattle, hears from doctors and nurses scared of bringing the virus home to their families, she responds: “I’m scared of the same thing. How are you going to make it through?”Some chaplains are finding that they are better able to offer comfort to staff and patients because of their own anxieties about the pandemic. When Ms. Klug, in Seattle, hears from doctors and nurses scared of bringing the virus home to their families, she responds: “I’m scared of the same thing. How are you going to make it through?”
Ms. Klug now has to take the same precautions as hospital staff so as not to expose her family to coronavirus. Her aging in-laws have moved out of their shared home. When she goes home to her 6- and 7-year-old children, she changes in the garage and sanitizes her car. And when she leaves them in the morning, she does her best to explain her work of spiritual care: “When they wash their hands I say, ‘You’re being a helper and fighting germs,’” she said. “When I go to the hospital I say, ‘It’s mommy’s turn to be a helper.’”Ms. Klug now has to take the same precautions as hospital staff so as not to expose her family to coronavirus. Her aging in-laws have moved out of their shared home. When she goes home to her 6- and 7-year-old children, she changes in the garage and sanitizes her car. And when she leaves them in the morning, she does her best to explain her work of spiritual care: “When they wash their hands I say, ‘You’re being a helper and fighting germs,’” she said. “When I go to the hospital I say, ‘It’s mommy’s turn to be a helper.’”
Ms. Klug finds that her days are weighed down with worry for her children, for her patients and their children. So she tries to bring sources of joy to the hospital floor. She played reggae for a patient who requested upbeat music. When a family called to say that one of her elderly patients is a “staunch Democrat,” Ms. Klug sat by her bed and read aloud news about Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. And for the nurses and doctors, she distributed pocket-size photos of Fred Rogers from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”Ms. Klug finds that her days are weighed down with worry for her children, for her patients and their children. So she tries to bring sources of joy to the hospital floor. She played reggae for a patient who requested upbeat music. When a family called to say that one of her elderly patients is a “staunch Democrat,” Ms. Klug sat by her bed and read aloud news about Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. And for the nurses and doctors, she distributed pocket-size photos of Fred Rogers from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
“There’s no playbook for this,” she said. “It’s just showing genuine care.”“There’s no playbook for this,” she said. “It’s just showing genuine care.”
Many chaplains said that providing spiritual care felt to them like “answering a call.” Now, the opportunities to answer that call are coming more frequently, and desperately, than ever before.Many chaplains said that providing spiritual care felt to them like “answering a call.” Now, the opportunities to answer that call are coming more frequently, and desperately, than ever before.
Nathan Pelz is a chaplain at California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles. Last week, hospital administrators asked him to come and pray for the I.C.U. staff at their morning check-in. So he awoke before the sun was up and met the physicians and nurses at the “safety huddle” before their 7 a.m. shift.Nathan Pelz is a chaplain at California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles. Last week, hospital administrators asked him to come and pray for the I.C.U. staff at their morning check-in. So he awoke before the sun was up and met the physicians and nurses at the “safety huddle” before their 7 a.m. shift.
Mr. Pelz handed each medical worker a prayer he had printed.Mr. Pelz handed each medical worker a prayer he had printed.
“May healing be upon all those who are suffering through this season,” he intoned.“May healing be upon all those who are suffering through this season,” he intoned.
They slipped the blessings into their pockets and turned toward the ward to begin their day.They slipped the blessings into their pockets and turned toward the ward to begin their day.