Health3 min(s) read
Published 13:15 12 Apr 2020 GMT
As of this writing, the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center reports that the US has seen 530,006 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and a devastating death toll of 20,608.
And despite the media doing their best to hit home the true impact of the pandemic, the reality can only truly conveyed to us by people who are working on the frontline to help treat affected patients.
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One of which is nurse Aleixandrea Macias, a mom-of-four from Brownsville, Texas, who has been working in a makeshift ICU (intensive care unit) for the last 16 days in New York City.
Per the Daily Mail, Macias says she has been treating many young people with no previous medical issues, and she had never taken care of someone before "that is so healthy but at the same time so deathly sick".
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In an attempt to communicate the "true" reality of the war against COVID-19, Macias has shared a series of posts on Facebook, including a now-viral post explaining how nobody has left her unit, "except in a body bag".
If anybody is still dubious about the devastating impact this illness is having, I have no doubt Aleixandrea's powerful post will change your mind.
Aleixandrea's post can be read below. Some people may find some details distressing:
"I haven't posted a true update in days because I could not find anything positive to say.
"I tried since Thursday to change my perspective and be a ray of light in this dark time, but I just keep being beat down. I have never seen anything like this before, never taken care of someone that is so healthy but at the same time so deathly sick.
"I've been working in a makeshift ICU for days now because there were no other nurses to staff the area. There are not enough staff even though we get new people daily, not enough experienced staff (because who on earth can be experienced for this level of sick?!), not enough supplies. I can't count the times I have heard "well we could try and do this but we don't have this". I'm not an ICU nurse at all, but neither is hardly anyone else working these units now.
"I've told Julio Macias 2 days in a row that I want to come home. But he talks me back off the edge each time because he knows how much I would regret leaving because at this point anybody at all helps. So I'm still here. Day 11 is done."
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Aleixandrea went on to reveal that the "worst" part about working on the wards is listening to the patient's phones ringing with calls from loved ones. She said:
"Of course we can't share patient info, but being in an ICU setting I am keeping my same patients day after day until they die. "
"I've struggled to find my purpose being here, but strangely enough Julio knew why before I ever did. I have been translating Spanish for days for these people, in my own broken Spanish because anything is better than them understanding nothing.
"I've seen patients arrive on our unit not yet sedated or vented but in extreme respiratory distress and beyond frightened. I have explained what COVID is doing to their body, what the risks are of being intubated vs not, and I have listened as these people have called their family members for the very last time prior to being intubated.
"If I can leave here with anything at all, I can know that I helped give them those last moments with their family.
"After they are sedated, their personal belongings are still there. Their phones still ring. That's the worst is listening to the phones ring knowing someone is calling and praying they will answer just one more time.
"These people are not old. They are young. Many with no medical problems. Strong people, physically fit. One who even worked 5 jobs at a time until Covid ravaged his body.
"This virus kills people. They all die at some point, it's just been a game of seeing how long we can keep them half alive. I feel like our efforts are futile, but I still try so hard and get so upset because I know that if it were Julio or anyone in my family laying there I would want the same done.
"When their bodies finally give up fighting, we place them in a body bag. I've seen hundreds of people die as a nurse, but they are usually surrounded with loved ones or we give family time to see them to say their goodbyes. Not with COVID. There is no closure for anyone in this. I can't explain to you how bad this hurts, how real this is, and how afraid I am knowing that it could get like this in my own hometowns.
Finally, Aleixandrea pleaded with anybody reading her post to take the crisis seriously, and revealed how she believes many medical workers will suffer from "some form of PTSD" when all of this is over. She wrote:
"I can't make you guys do anything, but I am literally begging you to listen to us healthcare workers and take this seriously. My heart hurts so bad tonight for these families who have lost people entirely too soon, for those who are sick and absolutely terrified, and for all of us who will surely have some form of PTSD after this is over."
Aleixandrea's post has since been shared more than 79,000 times on the social media platform, and received many comments from well-wishers thanking her for her "ultimate sacrifice":
In a follow-up Facebook post yesterday, Macias revealed that her 16 days in New York City had come to end and that she will now be quarantining in her campervan for two weeks. She also said how she hopes her story had proven to people just how serious the crisis is.
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She writes:
"Day 16 in New York and Day 1 of quarantine!
"I did it! I'm coming home! I originally signed up to work 14-21 days in NYC, my personal goal was 21 days. This was harder than I ever imagined it could be and I feel lucky to have made it to 16. I am thankful, grateful, sad, anxious, happy, all at once today. I'm looking forward to my days of rest to reflect and catch up on reading all the beautiful messages I have received.
"What's my plan?
"I'll be quarantining in my camper for 14 days. My boys do not know that I am coming home, and our plan is to keep it that way so they can be safe from me. I have no symptoms at all after 16 days of heavy exposure, and I pray that it remains that way. The agency is expecting work needs in NY until June. They have asked who all would be willing to return after some much needed rest. I have told them I will return if the need is still there as expected. But we will cross that bridge when we get to it!
"I have truly been going nonstop for days. I talk with Julio and the boys for about 10 minutes each night. And I update FB when I am on the bus. FB updates have been easier/quicker than calling my mom, dad, friends, etc. Individually. I know everyone knows now that a post of mine went viral. That was never the intent, I posted mainly because I knew I had prayer warriors who would go to work on my behalf. Most of you knew before I ever did. Between work and sleep, I wasn't able to check my phone and when I did I was shocked to see what had happened in a day. [...]
"The past few days have been a crazy whirlwind, but I am thankful my story was shared because I know it has helped people to realize how serious this is. And if I can only have one 'win' in this fight, I hope my story influenced others to stay home to stay safe."
VT would like to send our thanks and best wishes to Aleixandrea and all the other medical staff and key workers around the world who are helping keep us safe and healthy during these trying times.
