On the Frontlines of a Louisiana Hospital as COVID Rages

"...well you'd like to call it post traumatic stress disorder, but we just can't seem to get to that 'post' part..." What a statement. Heartbreaking.

"We are tired." I'm a respiratory therapist in Texas, and I felt this in my soul.

The way Stephen talked about COVID was eerie. It wasn't angry, it wasn't sad, it was just...tired. Tired and to the point.

"Can't hug, but sometimes I just want to hug somebody." That's the sad state of this world.

Here in Jamaica our hospitals have patients sitting in wheelchairs and the floor while hooked up to oxygen waiting to be treated. Our healthcare workers are exhausted and stressed...just 3 nights ago, a doctor in our cul-de-sac fell asleep about 500 feet from home and drove into a neighbour’s fence; thankfully no one but the car and fence were hurt. Our sole oxygen provider ran out on Friday and supplies had to be rationed for 3 days before some was able to be imported - no matter how much planning we can do, infrastructure (hospitals, ambulances, oxygen tanks etc) around the world simply cannot keep up with the demand caused by this virus.

This is 100% accurate. As a nurse in an ICU I am tired of seeing people die from COVID. Tired of the suffering. Tired of the fear in peoples eyes before they get intubated. We are all tired. Please I cannot say it enough. We don’t want to see you in the hospital, please get the vaccine. It works.

"We just can't get to the post part yet" Those words really hit. 🙏 🤲

I never thought about how much trauma our medical staff are being subjected to. Bless them all for the work they are doing, and when it's over ,I hope they get the support they need too.

I'm a nurse an OR nurse. Another bad thing is my father had a Hemorrhagic Stroke last week. Only on his 5th hospital an ICU bed has vacancy. After 8 hours of travel going from one hospital to another. Hospital has 40 to 50 waiting list. Please if you don't have to leave home please don't so that people that needs medical and surgical attention can have access to our hospital. Thank you from a nurse and a son.

As someone living in Baton Rouge, it’s infuriating that most of my friends and family refuse the vaccine while the state is in this condition

I was in NOLA a couple of months ago. Ninety percent of people were NOT wearing masks indoors or social distancing from one another. I didn't even visit Bourbon Street because there were too many people on it and I was very concerned that I would be at risk of getting COVID. A very dangerous situation. Shortly after I left, COVID numbers began to rise. I have the upmost sympathy for the medical professionals who are baring the brunt of other people's selfishness.

Thank you to every single nurse, doctor, and hospital staff. Thank you.

If anyone sees this and are worried about the vaccine. I got both vaccines, and contracted covid. I thankfully didn’t pass it on as the vaccine helps lower the viral load, but still to this day weeks later I still have a cough and fatigue. I am thankful and lucky to have recovered on my own and not need medical help, but I can’t imagine not having the vaccine and having this. Please for your safety, get the vaccine for your health

When was this recorded? Now on top of what they talked about, they gotta deal with the aftermath of a catastrophic hurricane..... gosh I feel for them

The doctor at the end eyes says it all.. He's simply in auto pilot trying to do God's work at some point that man might break

Unfortunately the former president of the United States muddied the waters so much that even these heartfelt testimonials will have no impact on the mindset of of almost half the country. His entire platform of divisiveness couldn’t have come at a worse time when we really needed to pull together. All in service of one human beings ego. Truly sad and heartbreaking.

I was in NOLA a 2 months ago when I got back to my home state AZ. I was positive for covid I'm still dealing with breathing issues and other complications. Covid is no joke and I can thank all the front line workers that saved my life.

My heart goes out to all the frontline workers struggling to fight this virus and the PTSD and trauma they will have to go through will be intense and it's just so sad.

Amazing how we’re just ignoring this. Carrying on like everything is back to normal, it’s not…

That’s rough!!!!!! To all the NURSES from the janitors and the cooks, THANK YOU!!!!!!!! All of you are putting your own safety on the line to save others, even those who won’t get the vaccine.