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A 96-Year-Old Veteran Was Near Death. Then He Met His Social Worker. A 96-Year-Old Veteran Was Near Death. Then He Met His Social Worker.
(3 days later)
The outlook for the patient assigned to Capt. Eric Dungan on May 1 was bleak: George Crouch, 96, seemed to have given up on life.The outlook for the patient assigned to Capt. Eric Dungan on May 1 was bleak: George Crouch, 96, seemed to have given up on life.
His beloved wife had died of Covid-19, and Mr. Crouch was also battling the illness in the hospital. Since his wife’s death in late April, he was refusing medical care and would not eat.His beloved wife had died of Covid-19, and Mr. Crouch was also battling the illness in the hospital. Since his wife’s death in late April, he was refusing medical care and would not eat.
Captain Dungan, a trained social worker in the U.S. Army Reserves, had been deployed from Indiana to New York City to help hospitals counsel the sick during the coronavirus crisis. Many of his patients at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx had already died of the illness, and given Mr. Crouch’s age, condition and temperament, Captain Dungan braced for the worst.Captain Dungan, a trained social worker in the U.S. Army Reserves, had been deployed from Indiana to New York City to help hospitals counsel the sick during the coronavirus crisis. Many of his patients at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx had already died of the illness, and given Mr. Crouch’s age, condition and temperament, Captain Dungan braced for the worst.
A nurse stopped him on his way to visit Mr. Crouch for the first time. Did Captain Dungan know, the nurse asked, that Mr. Crouch was a veteran of World War II?A nurse stopped him on his way to visit Mr. Crouch for the first time. Did Captain Dungan know, the nurse asked, that Mr. Crouch was a veteran of World War II?
“I always see World War II vets as national treasures,” Captain Dungan said. “He did not disappoint.”“I always see World War II vets as national treasures,” Captain Dungan said. “He did not disappoint.”
The soldiers’ disparate paths had collided at that hospital bedside.The soldiers’ disparate paths had collided at that hospital bedside.
Mr. Crouch was decades out of the Army; Captain Dungan, 46, had only just signed up for the reserves, driven to enlist after the death of his own father, a veteran.Mr. Crouch was decades out of the Army; Captain Dungan, 46, had only just signed up for the reserves, driven to enlist after the death of his own father, a veteran.
Mr. Crouch had lived in New York City for most of his life. Captain Dungan, from Muncie, Ind., had never been to the city. His deployment to Jacobi was his first ever in uniform, part of the same military-backed effort that brought the U.S.N.S. Comfort hospital ship to the Hudson River.Mr. Crouch had lived in New York City for most of his life. Captain Dungan, from Muncie, Ind., had never been to the city. His deployment to Jacobi was his first ever in uniform, part of the same military-backed effort that brought the U.S.N.S. Comfort hospital ship to the Hudson River.
But bonded by their time in the service, the two men connected. Through their friendship, Mr. Crouch found something to live for, his family believes.But bonded by their time in the service, the two men connected. Through their friendship, Mr. Crouch found something to live for, his family believes.
“Captain Eric Dungan had immense impact on him. And on us, we really love him,” said Kai Adwoa-Thomas, Mr. Crouch’s daughter.“Captain Eric Dungan had immense impact on him. And on us, we really love him,” said Kai Adwoa-Thomas, Mr. Crouch’s daughter.
Mr. Crouch had faced fierce enemies before. He had served in the Army for both the Second World War and the Korean War, rising to the rank of sergeant. Deployed to the South Pacific for eight months during World War II, he injured his feet in Okinawa. For days he huddled in trenches, guarding artillery stores.Mr. Crouch had faced fierce enemies before. He had served in the Army for both the Second World War and the Korean War, rising to the rank of sergeant. Deployed to the South Pacific for eight months during World War II, he injured his feet in Okinawa. For days he huddled in trenches, guarding artillery stores.
But in a solitary hospital bed at Jacobi, with his wife gone and his own overwhelmingly bad odds, Mr. Crouch seemed to have met a battle he couldn’t fight.But in a solitary hospital bed at Jacobi, with his wife gone and his own overwhelmingly bad odds, Mr. Crouch seemed to have met a battle he couldn’t fight.
Before he was stricken with Covid-19, he had lived a full life. Born in Hartford, Conn., Mr. Crouch first came to the city at 15 years old. He made money washing windows for a lawyer in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx. After the war, he bought a row home in that neighborhood, and had lived there since — first alone, and later with his wife, Gail, whom he married in 1975.Before he was stricken with Covid-19, he had lived a full life. Born in Hartford, Conn., Mr. Crouch first came to the city at 15 years old. He made money washing windows for a lawyer in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx. After the war, he bought a row home in that neighborhood, and had lived there since — first alone, and later with his wife, Gail, whom he married in 1975.
They became pillars of their community. Mr. Crouch had a career as a lab technician with the City College of New York, where he taught chemistry. In the 1980s, he was voted the honorary mayor of Williamsbridge by civic leaders and worked closely with the N.A.A.C.P.They became pillars of their community. Mr. Crouch had a career as a lab technician with the City College of New York, where he taught chemistry. In the 1980s, he was voted the honorary mayor of Williamsbridge by civic leaders and worked closely with the N.A.A.C.P.
“He’s always been politically active and very social,” said Ms. Adwoa-Thomas, one of Mr. Crouch’s four children.“He’s always been politically active and very social,” said Ms. Adwoa-Thomas, one of Mr. Crouch’s four children.
In the last week in April, Mr. Crouch’s wife became severely ill, Ms. Adowa-Thomas said, and started shaking and vomiting. Mr. Crouch also said he did not feel well; both were transported to Jacobi Medical Center by ambulance on April 24. By April 30, Ms. Crouch had died.In the last week in April, Mr. Crouch’s wife became severely ill, Ms. Adowa-Thomas said, and started shaking and vomiting. Mr. Crouch also said he did not feel well; both were transported to Jacobi Medical Center by ambulance on April 24. By April 30, Ms. Crouch had died.
Mr. Crouch became despondent after her death, and with increasingly dismal updates, his family prepared for the worst. Because of safety precautions at the hospital, they were unable to visit him. Cut off from his family, Mr. Crouch was growing isolated and dejected. The weekend after meeting Captain Dungan, Mr. Crouch was moved to a room where he could be closely monitored and hooked up to an oxygen bag.Mr. Crouch became despondent after her death, and with increasingly dismal updates, his family prepared for the worst. Because of safety precautions at the hospital, they were unable to visit him. Cut off from his family, Mr. Crouch was growing isolated and dejected. The weekend after meeting Captain Dungan, Mr. Crouch was moved to a room where he could be closely monitored and hooked up to an oxygen bag.
He was hardly sleeping and refused to eat. But Mr. Crouch brightened whenever Captain Dungan came to visit, the captain recalled. He would pull off his oxygen mask to whisper, and they shared stories about their families and their military experience and joked about Mr. Crouch’s baldness.He was hardly sleeping and refused to eat. But Mr. Crouch brightened whenever Captain Dungan came to visit, the captain recalled. He would pull off his oxygen mask to whisper, and they shared stories about their families and their military experience and joked about Mr. Crouch’s baldness.
“I tried to hit his room two or three times a day,” Captain Dungan said. Often, he just sat by Mr. Crouch’s bedside as he slept.“I tried to hit his room two or three times a day,” Captain Dungan said. Often, he just sat by Mr. Crouch’s bedside as he slept.
On May 5, as Captain Dungan left their morning visit for his rounds, Mr. Crouch gave him a directive: “Rock steady,” he told him.On May 5, as Captain Dungan left their morning visit for his rounds, Mr. Crouch gave him a directive: “Rock steady,” he told him.
“That term became our little thing,” said Captain Dungan. From that morning, they greeted each other with those words and said them in parting.“That term became our little thing,” said Captain Dungan. From that morning, they greeted each other with those words and said them in parting.
Updated June 2, 2020 Updated June 5, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Even as Mr. Crouch opened up to Captain Dungan, he resisted medical care. He at times pulled out his I.V. and would not eat. He missed his wife, he told Captain Dungan; they had been married for 44 years.Even as Mr. Crouch opened up to Captain Dungan, he resisted medical care. He at times pulled out his I.V. and would not eat. He missed his wife, he told Captain Dungan; they had been married for 44 years.
When Captain Dungan came to visit one afternoon, he nudged Mr. Crouch toward a plate of untouched food. Mr. Crouch ignored him, but Captain Dungan persisted, he recalled.When Captain Dungan came to visit one afternoon, he nudged Mr. Crouch toward a plate of untouched food. Mr. Crouch ignored him, but Captain Dungan persisted, he recalled.
Exasperated, Mr. Crouch pulled off his mask and glared at Captain Dungan.Exasperated, Mr. Crouch pulled off his mask and glared at Captain Dungan.
“What do you want me to do?” Mr. Crouch asked.“What do you want me to do?” Mr. Crouch asked.
“I want you to live,” Captain Dungan said.“I want you to live,” Captain Dungan said.
Mr. Crouch paused and seemed to consider the idea.Mr. Crouch paused and seemed to consider the idea.
“All right then,” he said, and began eating, Captain Dungan said.“All right then,” he said, and began eating, Captain Dungan said.
Captain Dungan, sensing a breakthrough, encouraged other military personnel working at the hospital to visit Mr. Crouch’s room over the next week. Several stopped by — lieutenant colonels, specialists, captains — and sat with Mr. Crouch.Captain Dungan, sensing a breakthrough, encouraged other military personnel working at the hospital to visit Mr. Crouch’s room over the next week. Several stopped by — lieutenant colonels, specialists, captains — and sat with Mr. Crouch.
“They helped fill in the gap for a fellow soldier,” Captain Dungan said.“They helped fill in the gap for a fellow soldier,” Captain Dungan said.
The soldiers brought Mr. Crouch patches from their home units, which he began to collect. One Marine sent Mr. Crouch a “World War II Veteran” hat.The soldiers brought Mr. Crouch patches from their home units, which he began to collect. One Marine sent Mr. Crouch a “World War II Veteran” hat.
The gifts raised her father’s spirit immensely, Ms. Adwoa-Thomas said. That week, he began receiving fluids and allowed nurses to insert an I.V.The gifts raised her father’s spirit immensely, Ms. Adwoa-Thomas said. That week, he began receiving fluids and allowed nurses to insert an I.V.
A week after Mr. Crouch’s condition first began improving, Captain Dungan was alarmed when another social worker asked him to accompany her to Mr. Crouch’s room. She feared he was at the end of his life.A week after Mr. Crouch’s condition first began improving, Captain Dungan was alarmed when another social worker asked him to accompany her to Mr. Crouch’s room. She feared he was at the end of his life.
“Once I came in there with her, he pepped back up, said ‘Rock steady,’” Captain Dungan said.“Once I came in there with her, he pepped back up, said ‘Rock steady,’” Captain Dungan said.
He asked Mr. Crouch what he wanted to do when he got home from the hospital; Mr. Crouch told him he would “have a beer, praise God and eat some black-eyed peas.”He asked Mr. Crouch what he wanted to do when he got home from the hospital; Mr. Crouch told him he would “have a beer, praise God and eat some black-eyed peas.”
On May 15, Mr. Crouch tested negative for the coronavirus and was released to an acute rehabilitation center, where his condition continues to improve. His family hopes he can be home soon.On May 15, Mr. Crouch tested negative for the coronavirus and was released to an acute rehabilitation center, where his condition continues to improve. His family hopes he can be home soon.
On the day of his discharge from the hospital, he was wheeled through the Jacobi Medical Center lobby to raucous applause. He wore his “World War II Veteran” cap.On the day of his discharge from the hospital, he was wheeled through the Jacobi Medical Center lobby to raucous applause. He wore his “World War II Veteran” cap.