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/2020/05/03/nyregion/coronavirus-doctor-musician-rachel-easterwood.html
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| These Are the Bedside Concerts Comforting Virus Patients | These Are the Bedside Concerts Comforting Virus Patients |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| In chaotic emergency rooms and intensive care units around New York City, coronavirus patients struggle to survive in isolation, with masked doctors and nurses keeping their distance and family visits barred. Alarms, monitors and overhead announcements blare incessantly. | In chaotic emergency rooms and intensive care units around New York City, coronavirus patients struggle to survive in isolation, with masked doctors and nurses keeping their distance and family visits barred. Alarms, monitors and overhead announcements blare incessantly. |
| But at NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital in Manhattan, the music of Bach, Brahms and even the Beatles has begun wafting through patient rooms, played by accomplished performers — recently out-of-work chamber music players; winners of international competitions and prizes; teachers at prestigious music schools. | But at NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital in Manhattan, the music of Bach, Brahms and even the Beatles has begun wafting through patient rooms, played by accomplished performers — recently out-of-work chamber music players; winners of international competitions and prizes; teachers at prestigious music schools. |
| They perform from California, Kentucky, Maine, Virginia, Massachusetts and New York, where they are sheltered in place. The music plays through an iPhone or iPad placed at the bedside of patients who indicated they wanted to hear a performance, using FaceTime’s audio-only feature to protect their privacy. | They perform from California, Kentucky, Maine, Virginia, Massachusetts and New York, where they are sheltered in place. The music plays through an iPhone or iPad placed at the bedside of patients who indicated they wanted to hear a performance, using FaceTime’s audio-only feature to protect their privacy. |
| “I’m hoping to offer a brief moment of comfort or distraction or beauty,” said Michelle Ross, a violinist in Manhattan who has performed for the patients. | “I’m hoping to offer a brief moment of comfort or distraction or beauty,” said Michelle Ross, a violinist in Manhattan who has performed for the patients. |
| At the Allen Hospital, which is at the northern tip of Manhattan and serves a community that is largely low income and minority, the toll of coronavirus cases has been particularly devastating. Last week, a top emergency room physician at Allen died by suicide, putting a spotlight on the struggles at the small hospital. | At the Allen Hospital, which is at the northern tip of Manhattan and serves a community that is largely low income and minority, the toll of coronavirus cases has been particularly devastating. Last week, a top emergency room physician at Allen died by suicide, putting a spotlight on the struggles at the small hospital. |
| At times, the 200-bed hospital has had as many as 170 coronavirus patients; by early April, there were 59 patient deaths, The New York Times has reported. | At times, the 200-bed hospital has had as many as 170 coronavirus patients; by early April, there were 59 patient deaths, The New York Times has reported. |
| It was around that time that the concert idea blossomed. Dr. Rachel Easterwood, who works the night shift in the I.C.U., had despaired at how little could be done for some patients. “I just felt desperate actually, and helpless,” she said. “People are dying left and right.” | It was around that time that the concert idea blossomed. Dr. Rachel Easterwood, who works the night shift in the I.C.U., had despaired at how little could be done for some patients. “I just felt desperate actually, and helpless,” she said. “People are dying left and right.” |
| One evening off, she listened to a cellist friend in California play Bach for her over FaceTime. Dr. Easterwood, 35, who played clarinet professionally before going to medical school, found the music comforting. | One evening off, she listened to a cellist friend in California play Bach for her over FaceTime. Dr. Easterwood, 35, who played clarinet professionally before going to medical school, found the music comforting. |
| “Man, I wish we could do that in the hospital,” she told her friend, as he recalled the conversation. At that moment, the idea about playing for patients clicked. | “Man, I wish we could do that in the hospital,” she told her friend, as he recalled the conversation. At that moment, the idea about playing for patients clicked. |
| The cellist, Andrew Janss, and another friend, Molly Carr, a violist, began recruiting other musicians. | The cellist, Andrew Janss, and another friend, Molly Carr, a violist, began recruiting other musicians. |
| Some of the patients were on regular floors, awake and able to communicate. Others, in I.C.U. beds, were on ventilators and heavily sedated. | Some of the patients were on regular floors, awake and able to communicate. Others, in I.C.U. beds, were on ventilators and heavily sedated. |
| In those cases, Dr. Easterwood said, she called families to obtain permission for a performance to be played. She hoped even those patients might be comforted in some way. | In those cases, Dr. Easterwood said, she called families to obtain permission for a performance to be played. She hoped even those patients might be comforted in some way. |
| She soon expanded the concerts to harried staff members who were being challenged like never before, exposing themselves to health risks, living apart from families and sharing the sadness of patient deaths. On one shift, workers gathered at a nursing station near midnight to hear Mr. Janss play a cello solo. | She soon expanded the concerts to harried staff members who were being challenged like never before, exposing themselves to health risks, living apart from families and sharing the sadness of patient deaths. On one shift, workers gathered at a nursing station near midnight to hear Mr. Janss play a cello solo. |
| “We clapped for him and we asked for one more song,” said Anna Kosmider, a physician assistant. “It’s hard to find those moments of happiness at work.” | “We clapped for him and we asked for one more song,” said Anna Kosmider, a physician assistant. “It’s hard to find those moments of happiness at work.” |
| Dr. Easterwood also found solace in Mr. Janss’s performance. “It was comforting to me,” she said, “because I, as a doctor, was hurting.” | Dr. Easterwood also found solace in Mr. Janss’s performance. “It was comforting to me,” she said, “because I, as a doctor, was hurting.” |
| Last Monday, hours after news of the death of their physician-colleague, a short concert was arranged for members of the Allen emergency room staff. More than a dozen employees crowded in a break room to hear Mr. Janss play selections from Bach, Edith Piaf, Saint-Saëns and Elton John. The performance was subdued and somber. | Last Monday, hours after news of the death of their physician-colleague, a short concert was arranged for members of the Allen emergency room staff. More than a dozen employees crowded in a break room to hear Mr. Janss play selections from Bach, Edith Piaf, Saint-Saëns and Elton John. The performance was subdued and somber. |
| Dr. Easterwood, a 2006 graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, obtained her medical degree in 2014 at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed a residency in internal medicine and became an attending physician at Allen last year. | Dr. Easterwood, a 2006 graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, obtained her medical degree in 2014 at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed a residency in internal medicine and became an attending physician at Allen last year. |
| She said she always assumed music would be a part of her life — she keeps her clarinet — but there was little time to play as she began her medical career. | She said she always assumed music would be a part of her life — she keeps her clarinet — but there was little time to play as she began her medical career. |
| “I mean, music takes an enormous amount of dedication, but medicine takes way more,” she said. | “I mean, music takes an enormous amount of dedication, but medicine takes way more,” she said. |
| In April, she was working night shifts covering the intensive care unit at Allen. | In April, she was working night shifts covering the intensive care unit at Allen. |
| “That’s the most difficult of all the shifts,” said her supervisor, Dr. Zorica Stojanovic, medical director for Allen’s hospitalist physicians, “because everyone is most of the time walking the fine line between life and death.” | “That’s the most difficult of all the shifts,” said her supervisor, Dr. Zorica Stojanovic, medical director for Allen’s hospitalist physicians, “because everyone is most of the time walking the fine line between life and death.” |
| On April 2, Dr. Easterwood had her serendipitous conversation with Mr. Janss. | On April 2, Dr. Easterwood had her serendipitous conversation with Mr. Janss. |
| The concert idea was a natural for him and Ms. Carr, the violist, who together recruited the musicians. They co-direct Project: Music Heals Us, a nonprofit Ms. Carr founded that organizes free classical concerts in nursing homes, hospices, prisons, homeless shelters and refugee centers. | The concert idea was a natural for him and Ms. Carr, the violist, who together recruited the musicians. They co-direct Project: Music Heals Us, a nonprofit Ms. Carr founded that organizes free classical concerts in nursing homes, hospices, prisons, homeless shelters and refugee centers. |
| The pandemic had brought its work to a halt, and its stable of freelance musicians also were having performances canceled. (To support the musicians, the group said it had decided to pay them $100 apiece for any three-hour period they are on call to perform the coronavirus concerts.) | The pandemic had brought its work to a halt, and its stable of freelance musicians also were having performances canceled. (To support the musicians, the group said it had decided to pay them $100 apiece for any three-hour period they are on call to perform the coronavirus concerts.) |
| Dr. Easterwood emailed her supervisor, Dr. Stojanovic, seeking her approval. | Dr. Easterwood emailed her supervisor, Dr. Stojanovic, seeking her approval. |
| Dr. Stojanovic did not hesitate, saying in an interview that the idea was a wonderful one given the calamitous times. “What can disrupt this pattern of despair is the music,” she said. | Dr. Stojanovic did not hesitate, saying in an interview that the idea was a wonderful one given the calamitous times. “What can disrupt this pattern of despair is the music,” she said. |
| On April 7, Mr. Janss, in his apartment in Oakland, Calif., played the first concert — a 15-minute cello set that began with Bach. | On April 7, Mr. Janss, in his apartment in Oakland, Calif., played the first concert — a 15-minute cello set that began with Bach. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | Updated June 22, 2020 |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Later that day, a trio in Kentucky played for 75 minutes for another patient. The musicians included Ms. Carr, who teaches at the Juilliard School and Bard College; her husband, the cellist Oded Hadar; and Anna Petrova, who teaches piano at the University of Louisville. (All three were quarantined at Ms. Petrova’s home while Mr. Hadar recovered from coronavirus symptoms.) | |
| Ms. Petrova also played Chopin briefly for another patient who responded over the phone, “‘I love music. Thank you. You made my day,’” Ms. Carr recalled. | Ms. Petrova also played Chopin briefly for another patient who responded over the phone, “‘I love music. Thank you. You made my day,’” Ms. Carr recalled. |
| Performances followed on nights when Dr. Easterwood could find time. For the musicians, who typically feed off live audience reaction, playing on the phone for heavily sedated patients on ventilators amid the sounds of beeping monitors could be surreal. | Performances followed on nights when Dr. Easterwood could find time. For the musicians, who typically feed off live audience reaction, playing on the phone for heavily sedated patients on ventilators amid the sounds of beeping monitors could be surreal. |
| “You’re playing basically into a void,” Mr. Janss said. | “You’re playing basically into a void,” Mr. Janss said. |
| The musicians have drawn from their own playlists that include Schubert, Schumann, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, as well as George Gershwin and Andrew Lloyd Webber. They have played “All My Loving” and “Something” by the Beatles, and a viola-and-cello arrangement of “Over the Rainbow.” | The musicians have drawn from their own playlists that include Schubert, Schumann, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, as well as George Gershwin and Andrew Lloyd Webber. They have played “All My Loving” and “Something” by the Beatles, and a viola-and-cello arrangement of “Over the Rainbow.” |
| Miki-Sophia Cloud, a violinist in Boston, said she played Bach for a patient who wanted to hear something relaxing. She could hear the patient coughing, and she took out her viola, which has a lower range of notes. | Miki-Sophia Cloud, a violinist in Boston, said she played Bach for a patient who wanted to hear something relaxing. She could hear the patient coughing, and she took out her viola, which has a lower range of notes. |
| “I just played the low strings in a very calming, steady, slow rhythm for about 30 minutes,” she said. | “I just played the low strings in a very calming, steady, slow rhythm for about 30 minutes,” she said. |
| Perhaps no composer’s work has been played more often for the coronavirus patients than Bach, Dr. Easterwood said, describing his music as soothing, uplifting and “kind of a melancholy that people appreciate.” | Perhaps no composer’s work has been played more often for the coronavirus patients than Bach, Dr. Easterwood said, describing his music as soothing, uplifting and “kind of a melancholy that people appreciate.” |
| Some of the musicians said they found playing for the patients deeply emotional, and they have cried while performing. | Some of the musicians said they found playing for the patients deeply emotional, and they have cried while performing. |
| The music has also stirred emotion in patients. | The music has also stirred emotion in patients. |
| Dr. Easterwood said she left her phone by one older patient’s bedside, and returned after the performance to find the patient smiling. | Dr. Easterwood said she left her phone by one older patient’s bedside, and returned after the performance to find the patient smiling. |
| “I realized I had never seen a patient smile this entire time,” she said. | “I realized I had never seen a patient smile this entire time,” she said. |
| By April 16, about a dozen concerts had been held for patients and staff members, Dr. Easterwood said. But that day, she began to feel ill, experiencing virus symptoms. She was tested, and went home. The test came back negative. | By April 16, about a dozen concerts had been held for patients and staff members, Dr. Easterwood said. But that day, she began to feel ill, experiencing virus symptoms. She was tested, and went home. The test came back negative. |
| Until she could return to work, two other physicians — Ricky Regalbuto at Allen and Mike Robbins, an emergency department doctor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center — volunteered to arrange performances at each hospital. | Until she could return to work, two other physicians — Ricky Regalbuto at Allen and Mike Robbins, an emergency department doctor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center — volunteered to arrange performances at each hospital. |
| Dr. Robbins said one patient’s face just “lit up” when he offered a concert. Minutes into the performance, though, the music was ended when the patient had to be intubated, he recalled. | Dr. Robbins said one patient’s face just “lit up” when he offered a concert. Minutes into the performance, though, the music was ended when the patient had to be intubated, he recalled. |
| The patient’s “last minutes of consciousness were embraced with beautiful music,” Dr. Robbins texted the musicians later. | The patient’s “last minutes of consciousness were embraced with beautiful music,” Dr. Robbins texted the musicians later. |
| Last Monday, Dr. Easterwood returned to the night shift at Allen, where she arranged two 45-minute concerts for patients on ventilators, each by the pianist Henrique Eisenmann in Brooklyn. Dr. Easterwood said this week that she hoped to continue the performances for patients and the staff. | Last Monday, Dr. Easterwood returned to the night shift at Allen, where she arranged two 45-minute concerts for patients on ventilators, each by the pianist Henrique Eisenmann in Brooklyn. Dr. Easterwood said this week that she hoped to continue the performances for patients and the staff. |
| “We go into this profession to help people,” she said. “And this music had the ability to at least help a little bit.” | “We go into this profession to help people,” she said. “And this music had the ability to at least help a little bit.” |
| Joseph Goldstein contributed reporting. | Joseph Goldstein contributed reporting. |