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She Spent Her Last Month of College Lifting Bodies in a Morgue She Spent Her Last Month of College Lifting Bodies in a Morgue
(3 days later)
Mariel Sander thought she would spend her final month at Columbia University going to parties, taking a modern dance class and road-tripping over spring break to five national parks.Mariel Sander thought she would spend her final month at Columbia University going to parties, taking a modern dance class and road-tripping over spring break to five national parks.
Instead, she carried dead bodies off hospital beds and refrigerated trailers.Instead, she carried dead bodies off hospital beds and refrigerated trailers.
The coronavirus has killed more than 20,000 people in New York City, straining hospital morgues and funeral homes like never before. To manage the onslaught, hospitals brought on more than 100 temporary morgue workers, according to the city’s Department of Health.The coronavirus has killed more than 20,000 people in New York City, straining hospital morgues and funeral homes like never before. To manage the onslaught, hospitals brought on more than 100 temporary morgue workers, according to the city’s Department of Health.
Ms. Sander was one of them. She had been sitting at home in Oldwick, N.J., restless after her Manhattan campus closed and eager to help in the pandemic. She emailed city hospitals until she ended up in the $25-per-hour job.Ms. Sander was one of them. She had been sitting at home in Oldwick, N.J., restless after her Manhattan campus closed and eager to help in the pandemic. She emailed city hospitals until she ended up in the $25-per-hour job.
Ms. Sander, 21, spoke with The New York Times throughout her month working at a hospital morgue in Brooklyn, providing a rare glimpse inside an operation that is hidden from public view.Ms. Sander, 21, spoke with The New York Times throughout her month working at a hospital morgue in Brooklyn, providing a rare glimpse inside an operation that is hidden from public view.
She encountered nightmarish moments — ripped body bags, amputated limbs, mysterious liquids pooled on bedsheets.She encountered nightmarish moments — ripped body bags, amputated limbs, mysterious liquids pooled on bedsheets.
But she said she also developed a newfound respect for the rituals of death. The morgue team taught her to treat each body with care, a way to respect the family members who could not be inside the hospital to say goodbye to their loved ones.But she said she also developed a newfound respect for the rituals of death. The morgue team taught her to treat each body with care, a way to respect the family members who could not be inside the hospital to say goodbye to their loved ones.
The experience depleted her physically and emotionally. When carrying bodies, she sometimes glanced at their birth years, written on the body bags, to see how close in age they were to her parents.The experience depleted her physically and emotionally. When carrying bodies, she sometimes glanced at their birth years, written on the body bags, to see how close in age they were to her parents.
“This experience taught me more about empathy than anything else,” she said.“This experience taught me more about empathy than anything else,” she said.
Ms. Sander, who was not authorized to speak with the media about her job, shared her experiences on the condition that the hospital’s name not be published. Many details were corroborated by another employee who was also not authorized to speak with the media and spoke on condition of anonymity. A spokeswoman for the hospital declined to comment.Ms. Sander, who was not authorized to speak with the media about her job, shared her experiences on the condition that the hospital’s name not be published. Many details were corroborated by another employee who was also not authorized to speak with the media and spoke on condition of anonymity. A spokeswoman for the hospital declined to comment.
Ms. Sander sees the hospital morgue for the first time.Ms. Sander sees the hospital morgue for the first time.
The room, tucked away in the basement, can normally fit about a dozen bodies. Today, almost 90 bodies need storage. Two refrigerated trailers are parked outside the hospital as temporary morgues.The room, tucked away in the basement, can normally fit about a dozen bodies. Today, almost 90 bodies need storage. Two refrigerated trailers are parked outside the hospital as temporary morgues.
She learns how to put on a protective N95 mask, then a surgical mask and face shield. She also puts on a hairnet, scrubs, two layers of gloves and two lab coats.She learns how to put on a protective N95 mask, then a surgical mask and face shield. She also puts on a hairnet, scrubs, two layers of gloves and two lab coats.
Inside the morgue, she feels overwhelmed and lost. Amputated limbs, placentas and other specimens are stored there for research. She sees bags containing the bodies of infants.Inside the morgue, she feels overwhelmed and lost. Amputated limbs, placentas and other specimens are stored there for research. She sees bags containing the bodies of infants.
The morgue phone rings. It is time to transport her first body.The morgue phone rings. It is time to transport her first body.
Nurses place the body into a white bag. Morgue workers check the body’s wristband and write the patient’s name on the outside of the bag, a way to help funeral directors pick up the correct body.Nurses place the body into a white bag. Morgue workers check the body’s wristband and write the patient’s name on the outside of the bag, a way to help funeral directors pick up the correct body.
Ms. Sander has been trained as an emergency medical technician — she took the course while considering whether to become a doctor — so she knows to maneuver bodies that are much bigger than she is by lifting from her legs, not her back.Ms. Sander has been trained as an emergency medical technician — she took the course while considering whether to become a doctor — so she knows to maneuver bodies that are much bigger than she is by lifting from her legs, not her back.
She grabs a body bag the wrong way, and it tears. She learns to roll the thin fabric into a bunch and grip it with her fist.She grabs a body bag the wrong way, and it tears. She learns to roll the thin fabric into a bunch and grip it with her fist.
Stretchers are now being used to carry two bodies side by side. A morgue technician quickly hoists a body onto a stretcher, but the bag crashes to the ground, spilling liquid onto the floor.Stretchers are now being used to carry two bodies side by side. A morgue technician quickly hoists a body onto a stretcher, but the bag crashes to the ground, spilling liquid onto the floor.
Ms. Sander watches in horror, worried about exposure to the virus.Ms. Sander watches in horror, worried about exposure to the virus.
A supervisor reprimands the morgue technician, “You don’t do that to bodies.” Ms. Sander is relieved to learn this is not the norm.A supervisor reprimands the morgue technician, “You don’t do that to bodies.” Ms. Sander is relieved to learn this is not the norm.
After work, Ms. Sander hears the 7 p.m. cheer for health workers near the apartment where she is staying in Manhattan’s East Village. Her eyes well up with tears.After work, Ms. Sander hears the 7 p.m. cheer for health workers near the apartment where she is staying in Manhattan’s East Village. Her eyes well up with tears.
Ms. Sander stands alone in one of the morgue trailers. It is pitch black, illuminated only by the hand-held lamp she carries.Ms. Sander stands alone in one of the morgue trailers. It is pitch black, illuminated only by the hand-held lamp she carries.
Suddenly, she sees a man’s face inside an open body bag. Her heart drops. She talks out loud to calm down, feeling swallowed by the dozens of bodies on wooden shelves around her.Suddenly, she sees a man’s face inside an open body bag. Her heart drops. She talks out loud to calm down, feeling swallowed by the dozens of bodies on wooden shelves around her.
During one pickup, Ms. Sander arrives in the hospital room with another morgue technician to see an older patient sitting up in bed, visibly relieved to see them. He is next to a bed with the curtains fully drawn around the dead body.During one pickup, Ms. Sander arrives in the hospital room with another morgue technician to see an older patient sitting up in bed, visibly relieved to see them. He is next to a bed with the curtains fully drawn around the dead body.
“This is the second person who was in that bed since I’ve been here,” he says. “I’m so scared.”“This is the second person who was in that bed since I’ve been here,” he says. “I’m so scared.”
Her heart breaks. She wants to comfort him, but does not know how. They chat briefly, and she wishes him a speedy recovery.Her heart breaks. She wants to comfort him, but does not know how. They chat briefly, and she wishes him a speedy recovery.
The encounter is startling because the roommates of dead patients are normally unconscious. Morgue workers usually enter a room to hear only the inhale and exhale of ventilators, punctuated by beeping from monitors.The encounter is startling because the roommates of dead patients are normally unconscious. Morgue workers usually enter a room to hear only the inhale and exhale of ventilators, punctuated by beeping from monitors.
Ms. Sander goes to pick up a body and comes face to face with the patient’s son, who is a hospital employee. He helps the morgue technicians move his father’s body to a stretcher. She is surprised at how steady his hands are.Ms. Sander goes to pick up a body and comes face to face with the patient’s son, who is a hospital employee. He helps the morgue technicians move his father’s body to a stretcher. She is surprised at how steady his hands are.
Seeing the son is a jolt of reality: Each body she carries belongs to somebody. She has tried to block out the mournful parts of her job, focusing on logistics like how to fit a stretcher into a narrow doorway.Seeing the son is a jolt of reality: Each body she carries belongs to somebody. She has tried to block out the mournful parts of her job, focusing on logistics like how to fit a stretcher into a narrow doorway.
She feels a fresh wave of apprehension each time the morgue phone rings. Her least favorite part of the job is entering a hospital room to find a chaotic scene of tangled monitor wires, uneaten food and used nurses’ gowns. It is a snapshot of the patient’s final moments.She feels a fresh wave of apprehension each time the morgue phone rings. Her least favorite part of the job is entering a hospital room to find a chaotic scene of tangled monitor wires, uneaten food and used nurses’ gowns. It is a snapshot of the patient’s final moments.
Ms. Sander has not been sleeping well. She thinks about the silhouette of a stomach under the body bag, the jiggling of skin on a dead body.Ms. Sander has not been sleeping well. She thinks about the silhouette of a stomach under the body bag, the jiggling of skin on a dead body.
Her lower back aches. Lifting a body from the lowest shelf in the trailer is grueling. When she pushes a stretcher through winding hallways and on steep ramps, she often bumps into the wall, causing a twinge in her back.Her lower back aches. Lifting a body from the lowest shelf in the trailer is grueling. When she pushes a stretcher through winding hallways and on steep ramps, she often bumps into the wall, causing a twinge in her back.
She carries a thin, older woman whose body is still warm. The feeling reminds her of hugging her grandmother, who died earlier this year.She carries a thin, older woman whose body is still warm. The feeling reminds her of hugging her grandmother, who died earlier this year.
It is now common for bodies to sit at the morgue for three to four weeks, compared with an average of two to three days before the pandemic. Funeral homes are so backed up that they are turning families away who need burial services.It is now common for bodies to sit at the morgue for three to four weeks, compared with an average of two to three days before the pandemic. Funeral homes are so backed up that they are turning families away who need burial services.
In addition to refrigeration, the hospital tries to slow decomposition by placing balled bedsheets underneath the bodies’ heads. Keeping the head elevated prevents redness in the face, making it more recognizable to families.In addition to refrigeration, the hospital tries to slow decomposition by placing balled bedsheets underneath the bodies’ heads. Keeping the head elevated prevents redness in the face, making it more recognizable to families.
Ms. Sander, a neuroscience and English major, now feels sure that she wants to go to medical school and better understand how the human body works.Ms. Sander, a neuroscience and English major, now feels sure that she wants to go to medical school and better understand how the human body works.
The improvements come in fits and starts. Some days, there is not a single death on her shift. Other days, she picks up six bodies by noon.The improvements come in fits and starts. Some days, there is not a single death on her shift. Other days, she picks up six bodies by noon.
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.
A supervisor complains about a funeral director who showed up the day before with four bodies in the back of a U-Haul, wanting to place a body from the hospital on top. Her colleagues refused, saying the stacking could cause the bodies to leak, which would disrespect the families of patients at the bottom.A supervisor complains about a funeral director who showed up the day before with four bodies in the back of a U-Haul, wanting to place a body from the hospital on top. Her colleagues refused, saying the stacking could cause the bodies to leak, which would disrespect the families of patients at the bottom.
Before the pandemic, about 40 to 50 people died in a typical month at this hospital. The death toll was more than seven times that in April.Before the pandemic, about 40 to 50 people died in a typical month at this hospital. The death toll was more than seven times that in April.
A relative of Ms. Sander’s co-worker dies at the hospital. The team clears out a space for the body, putting makeup on his face and opening the body bag for his family to see him. They place yellow flowers, a sign of hope, over the body.A relative of Ms. Sander’s co-worker dies at the hospital. The team clears out a space for the body, putting makeup on his face and opening the body bag for his family to see him. They place yellow flowers, a sign of hope, over the body.
Ms. Sander gets emotional. “That easily could have been my parents or my sister,” she says.Ms. Sander gets emotional. “That easily could have been my parents or my sister,” she says.
On calls with friends, Ms. Sander has trouble articulating that a good day at work is one in which only two or three people die.On calls with friends, Ms. Sander has trouble articulating that a good day at work is one in which only two or three people die.
Her priorities before the pandemic — getting good grades, leading extracurricular activities — feel detached from her current reality. Her classes, which are now online and graded as pass/fail, end this week.Her priorities before the pandemic — getting good grades, leading extracurricular activities — feel detached from her current reality. Her classes, which are now online and graded as pass/fail, end this week.
The mood inside the hospital becomes more upbeat. Ms. Sander sees empty beds in the emergency room.The mood inside the hospital becomes more upbeat. Ms. Sander sees empty beds in the emergency room.
With more downtime, the team plays music in the morgue through an old iPod. They teach one another dances.With more downtime, the team plays music in the morgue through an old iPod. They teach one another dances.
She finds an unexpected camaraderie with this crew, which includes employees redeployed from other parts of the hospital. When the hospital ran out of hairnets one day, a co-worker flipped hers inside out to give to Ms. Sander.She finds an unexpected camaraderie with this crew, which includes employees redeployed from other parts of the hospital. When the hospital ran out of hairnets one day, a co-worker flipped hers inside out to give to Ms. Sander.
She calls her mother — “just sort of to talk to someone,” she says, “to confirm that yes, this is really happening, that my life hasn’t just become a strange dream in which I work in a morgue and the only people I touch are the dead.”She calls her mother — “just sort of to talk to someone,” she says, “to confirm that yes, this is really happening, that my life hasn’t just become a strange dream in which I work in a morgue and the only people I touch are the dead.”
A truck from the medical examiner’s office picks up 19 bodies to bring to Brooklyn’s 39th Street Pier, set up as a centralized pickup location for funeral directors.A truck from the medical examiner’s office picks up 19 bodies to bring to Brooklyn’s 39th Street Pier, set up as a centralized pickup location for funeral directors.
The morgue workers celebrate the idea that these bodies — some of which were unclaimed — are now bound for a destination, no longer forgotten.The morgue workers celebrate the idea that these bodies — some of which were unclaimed — are now bound for a destination, no longer forgotten.
The day before, when they closed up the trailer, someone played “Graduation (Friends Forever)” by Vitamin C. Ms. Sander joked, “This is probably going to be more of a celebration than my actual graduation.”The day before, when they closed up the trailer, someone played “Graduation (Friends Forever)” by Vitamin C. Ms. Sander joked, “This is probably going to be more of a celebration than my actual graduation.”
It is Ms. Sander’s last day. Only nine bodies are left in the morgue. The hospital is down to one trailer.It is Ms. Sander’s last day. Only nine bodies are left in the morgue. The hospital is down to one trailer.
She gets tested for the virus and spends the weekend walking around Columbia’s campus with friends, all wearing masks. She feels briefly like a student again.She gets tested for the virus and spends the weekend walking around Columbia’s campus with friends, all wearing masks. She feels briefly like a student again.
The prospect of a virtual commencement ceremony saddens her. “Isn’t it strange to miss an experience you’ve never actually had?” she says.The prospect of a virtual commencement ceremony saddens her. “Isn’t it strange to miss an experience you’ve never actually had?” she says.
The hospital calls with good news. Her test results are negative. Her mother drives into the city to pick her up.The hospital calls with good news. Her test results are negative. Her mother drives into the city to pick her up.
The results came just in time. Ms. Sander can now spend graduation, set for Tuesday, at home with her family.The results came just in time. Ms. Sander can now spend graduation, set for Tuesday, at home with her family.