This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/nyregion/nurses-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Hundreds of Miles From Home, Nurses Fight Coronavirus on New York’s Front Lines Hundreds of Miles From Home, Nurses Fight Coronavirus on New York’s Front Lines
(3 days later)
Each night at dusk, in an otherwise desolate Times Square, hundreds of nurses in blue scrubs gather to board buses that take them to hospitals across New York City.Each night at dusk, in an otherwise desolate Times Square, hundreds of nurses in blue scrubs gather to board buses that take them to hospitals across New York City.
Of the thousands of nurses who have come from other states to shore up New York’s hospitals, more than 4,000 are staying in Midtown Manhattan. During the day, many rest at their hotels, amid darkened Broadway marquees, quiet streets and boarded up shops. At night, they face crowded hospital corridors, panicked patients and strained intensive care units.Of the thousands of nurses who have come from other states to shore up New York’s hospitals, more than 4,000 are staying in Midtown Manhattan. During the day, many rest at their hotels, amid darkened Broadway marquees, quiet streets and boarded up shops. At night, they face crowded hospital corridors, panicked patients and strained intensive care units.
And death.And death.
“I have never seen patients so sick before,’’ said Tamara Williams, a 40-year-old nurse from Dallas. “And dying, despite everything that we’re doing.”“I have never seen patients so sick before,’’ said Tamara Williams, a 40-year-old nurse from Dallas. “And dying, despite everything that we’re doing.”
Even as the daily death toll has fallen in recent weeks, the coronavirus is still spreading. The number of new hospital admissions in New York, the hardest-hit state, has remained high, at about 1,000 a day, down from more than 3,000 a day in early April.Even as the daily death toll has fallen in recent weeks, the coronavirus is still spreading. The number of new hospital admissions in New York, the hardest-hit state, has remained high, at about 1,000 a day, down from more than 3,000 a day in early April.
Out-of-state nurses have provided a lifeline for hospitals needing to replace workers as they fall sick or need breaks. Some, seeing New York for the first time, said they were compelled to help hospitals in need. But they also said they were struggling with the grief of witnessing so many deaths and with being hundreds of miles away from their families.Out-of-state nurses have provided a lifeline for hospitals needing to replace workers as they fall sick or need breaks. Some, seeing New York for the first time, said they were compelled to help hospitals in need. But they also said they were struggling with the grief of witnessing so many deaths and with being hundreds of miles away from their families.
Ms. Williams said she couldn’t stay at home after watching television reports about overwhelmed New York City hospitals. “My conscience wouldn’t let me do that,” she said. So against the advice from some members of her family, she packed her bags and said goodbye to her 8-month-old baby and husband.Ms. Williams said she couldn’t stay at home after watching television reports about overwhelmed New York City hospitals. “My conscience wouldn’t let me do that,” she said. So against the advice from some members of her family, she packed her bags and said goodbye to her 8-month-old baby and husband.
During her first week at Bellevue Hospital Center in Manhattan, she found herself wondering, again and again, if she had made the right choice. Usually dispassionate, she shook the first time she entered the I.C.U., having never before seen so many sick patients unresponsive to treatment. She missed her baby. And, as nurses around her developed symptoms, she feared her own exposure to the virus.During her first week at Bellevue Hospital Center in Manhattan, she found herself wondering, again and again, if she had made the right choice. Usually dispassionate, she shook the first time she entered the I.C.U., having never before seen so many sick patients unresponsive to treatment. She missed her baby. And, as nurses around her developed symptoms, she feared her own exposure to the virus.
During a recent shift, Ms. Williams saw nurses huddled in hospital corridors, sobbing, after a colleague they had been treating died from Covid-19. “I see them crying over this person they worked with for so long, and I’m just imagining my own people back home,” she said, breaking into tears.During a recent shift, Ms. Williams saw nurses huddled in hospital corridors, sobbing, after a colleague they had been treating died from Covid-19. “I see them crying over this person they worked with for so long, and I’m just imagining my own people back home,” she said, breaking into tears.
Heather Smith from Topsail Island, off the coast of North Carolina, who is working at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, said that after seeing so many patients die, she wondered if she made a difference. “Every day you go in and you’re like, ‘Can I do this for one more day? Why did I wake up?’”Heather Smith from Topsail Island, off the coast of North Carolina, who is working at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, said that after seeing so many patients die, she wondered if she made a difference. “Every day you go in and you’re like, ‘Can I do this for one more day? Why did I wake up?’”
Another nurse, Maggie Scott of San Diego, 24, said she was in the wrenching position of having to arrange final FaceTime calls between dying patients and their family members — not just once, but three times in a single shift. Molly Teeter from Magnet Cove, Ark., said that bodies sometimes remained in hospital rooms for hours before they could be taken to refrigerated trucks being used as makeshift morgues.Another nurse, Maggie Scott of San Diego, 24, said she was in the wrenching position of having to arrange final FaceTime calls between dying patients and their family members — not just once, but three times in a single shift. Molly Teeter from Magnet Cove, Ark., said that bodies sometimes remained in hospital rooms for hours before they could be taken to refrigerated trucks being used as makeshift morgues.
Jim Malatras, president of SUNY Empire State College who is assisting Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in New York’s Covid-19 response, said the influx of nurses from outside the state had provided relief for hospitals, allowing them to rotate out exhausted health care workers.Jim Malatras, president of SUNY Empire State College who is assisting Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in New York’s Covid-19 response, said the influx of nurses from outside the state had provided relief for hospitals, allowing them to rotate out exhausted health care workers.
Joseph Moscola, senior vice president at Northwell Health, said the 500 out-of-state nurses — from nearly every state — who had been placed at the 23 hospitals throughout the health care network's system had been invaluable.Joseph Moscola, senior vice president at Northwell Health, said the 500 out-of-state nurses — from nearly every state — who had been placed at the 23 hospitals throughout the health care network's system had been invaluable.
“It’s been this infusion of energy,” he said.“It’s been this infusion of energy,” he said.
But the nurses are exhausted.But the nurses are exhausted.
Olumide Peter Kolade, 30, who has worked 12-hours shifts for 34 of the past 36 days, said that for the first time in his life, he’d started to meditate, saying “that kind of helps.” He added that sticking to a routine had also helped: work, shower, talk to his family and watch TV — anything but catching up on the news.Olumide Peter Kolade, 30, who has worked 12-hours shifts for 34 of the past 36 days, said that for the first time in his life, he’d started to meditate, saying “that kind of helps.” He added that sticking to a routine had also helped: work, shower, talk to his family and watch TV — anything but catching up on the news.
Several nurses said that the cheers of support for health care workers at 7 p.m. heard across the city and the hot meals delivered to them by a charity had made them feel welcomed by New Yorkers. But others said there had been a bit of a culture clash between local nurses and those from other parts of the country.Several nurses said that the cheers of support for health care workers at 7 p.m. heard across the city and the hot meals delivered to them by a charity had made them feel welcomed by New Yorkers. But others said there had been a bit of a culture clash between local nurses and those from other parts of the country.
“I come in a little loud and a little country,” said Karma Johnson-Brown, a 49-year-old nurse from Houston. She tries to bring some spirit to the Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brooklyn, where 17 residents have died from Covid-19. “Every day, you have to put your game face on and start all over again,” Ms. Johnson-Brown said.“I come in a little loud and a little country,” said Karma Johnson-Brown, a 49-year-old nurse from Houston. She tries to bring some spirit to the Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brooklyn, where 17 residents have died from Covid-19. “Every day, you have to put your game face on and start all over again,” Ms. Johnson-Brown said.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
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.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
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.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
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.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.
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.)
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.
Another nurse, Shameka Dugger from Fort Valley, Ga., says the other nurses have only just begun to warm up to her and make conversation when she says good morning. “I guess the Southern hospitality is starting to rub off on them and everything, so the rudeness has calmed down some,” Ms. Dugger, 39, said.Another nurse, Shameka Dugger from Fort Valley, Ga., says the other nurses have only just begun to warm up to her and make conversation when she says good morning. “I guess the Southern hospitality is starting to rub off on them and everything, so the rudeness has calmed down some,” Ms. Dugger, 39, said.
A mother of six, Ms. Dugger said that when she explained to her children that she would be away for a long time, her 7-year-old said: “‘Mommy, you’re going to be a unicorn super hero!’ I was like yea, that’s what I’m going to call myself.”A mother of six, Ms. Dugger said that when she explained to her children that she would be away for a long time, her 7-year-old said: “‘Mommy, you’re going to be a unicorn super hero!’ I was like yea, that’s what I’m going to call myself.”
Ms. Dugger, who had always wanted to visit New York, has managed to visit the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden and Central Park. Still, she has found the city not as glamorous as she had imagined from the movies.Ms. Dugger, who had always wanted to visit New York, has managed to visit the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden and Central Park. Still, she has found the city not as glamorous as she had imagined from the movies.
Each morning, before she arrives at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, she listens to gospel music and prays for the people of New York City. “If you’re not scared to be here, you’re not human,” she said.Each morning, before she arrives at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, she listens to gospel music and prays for the people of New York City. “If you’re not scared to be here, you’re not human,” she said.
But there were also some reasons to be hopeful. On Sunday, three patients were extubated, Ms. Dugger said. Every time this happens, the hospital plays Rachel Platten’s pop hit “Fight Song” over the loudspeaker. “It makes me cry,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh, Lord.’ It’s an awesome feeling.”But there were also some reasons to be hopeful. On Sunday, three patients were extubated, Ms. Dugger said. Every time this happens, the hospital plays Rachel Platten’s pop hit “Fight Song” over the loudspeaker. “It makes me cry,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh, Lord.’ It’s an awesome feeling.”
She misses home and dreams of hugging and smelling her children, and cooking Southern food for them: fried chicken, collard greens and cornbread.She misses home and dreams of hugging and smelling her children, and cooking Southern food for them: fried chicken, collard greens and cornbread.
Not yet, though. “I’m not leaving until this is over,” she said. “I feel like it’s my duty to stay here.”Not yet, though. “I’m not leaving until this is over,” she said. “I feel like it’s my duty to stay here.”