A photograph of healthcare workers flying into New York to help with the coronavirus outbreak has gone viral.
New York is currently the epicenter of the US outbreak of the pandemic. The John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center reports that there have been a total of 1,096 deaths there alone at the time of writing. There have been a total of 4,081 deaths in the US.
US Surgeon General Jerome Adams says that the coronavirus outbreak is going to worsen this week:
The picture of the healthcare workers was captioned: "More than a dozen healthcare professionals from Atlanta answered the call to serve in New York this past Friday. Thank you to the first responders, medical professionals, healthcare workers, and anyone else on the front lines today and every day keeping us safe. #SouthwestHeart"
Southwest said of the now-viral photo on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter: "This photo embodies it all: bravery, courage, and sacrifice. If it were easy, everyone would do it, but we know that is not the case.
"Thankfully, this group and countless others do it each day, and for that we are forever grateful and in their debt. So to all the first responders, medical professionals, healthcare workers, and anyone else on the front lines today and every day to keep us safe, thank you."
Needless to say, in addition to the thousands of likes the picture has received across social media, users were also quick to praise the healthcare workers.
One Twitter user wrote: "true American heroes!!!!!!"
A second remarked: "Thank you for aiding these amazing people with getting to their destination to serve our nation during this dark time. #StaySafe guys and everyone else please #StayHome"
The picture comes as Fox News reports that Delta Air Lines and JetBlue are offering free flights to medical professionals so that they can travel to the areas where they're needed the most.
As the global coronavirus pandemic ensues, last week, the US became the worst-hit country in the world.
According to the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, the US currently has 164,610 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and a death toll now stands at 3,170 (as of this writing). And New York has become the epicenter of America's fight against the novel coronavirus - with 60,000 confirmed cases and more than 900 deaths.
With hospitals in the state being overwhelmed by the surge of admissions, the safety of the frontline medical workers has become paramount amid a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE),
Now, the sister of a New York City nurse who died from coronavirus has shared her brother's heartbreaking final text, in an effort to highlight the risks healthcare workers are being subjected to.
More on this heartbreaking story in the video below:
Kious Jordan Kelly worked as an assistant nursing manager at Mount Sinai West, treating patients infected with COVID-19.
Sadly, Kelly - a native of Lansing, Michigan - was hospitalized himself on March 17 after contracting the novel coronavirus and died on Tuesday at age 48. The nurse had also suffered from severe asthma.
Now, Kious' sister, Marya Sherron, has spoken to NBC News about her brother, describing him as having an "infectious energy," adding: "You felt good when he was around and you noticed when he left."
Sherron also shared what would be her brother's final text message to her from the intensive care unit at Mount Sinai where he was placed on a ventilator.
Kious wrote: "Can’t talk because I choke and can’t breathe. I love you. Going back to sleep."
[[imagecaption|| Credit Marya Sherron]]
In an interview with NBC News, Sherron said she believes her brother’s death could have been prevented if he had access to the appropriate PPE - such as masks, gowns, and gloves. Marya said: "I absolutely believe that he contracted this because of the lack of PPE in his unit and at his hospital — but that's across our nation."
The Guardian reports that President Trump has faced criticism for the lack of PPE in hospitals, and during yesterday's press conference, the president even suggested that perhaps some of the equipment was being stolen, telling reporters:
"It’s a New York hospital, very - it’s packed all the time. How do you go from 10 to 20 [thousand masks per week] to 300,000? Ten [thousand] to 20,000 masks, to 300,000 - even though this is different? Something is going on, and you ought to look into it as reporters. Are they going out the back door?
"How do you go from 10,000 to 300,000? And we have that in a lot of different places. So somebody should probably look into that, because I just don’t see from a practical standpoint how that’s possible to go from that to that.”
[[imagecaption|| Credit: PA Images]]
Per NBC News, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently slammed President Trump for suggesting that medical supplies were being stolen, making it clear that hospitals in the stricken state are still preparing for the worst of the deaths. Cuomo said:
"If you are not preparing for the apex and for the high point, you are missing the entire point of the operation. It is a fundamental blunder to only prepare for today, that's why in some ways we are where we are. We've been behind this virus from Day One."
As per the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, at the time of writing there have been 787,010 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 37,829 deaths and 166,214 recoveries.
The United States has 164,610 confirmed cases thus far, the most of any country. Italy has currently suffered the most deaths of any country, with 11,591.
And in the US, urgently needed medical supplies were airlifted into New York on Sunday, the first of a number of flights over the next 30 days organized by the White House to help fight the coronavirus.
Watch one woman tell her granddad that she is engaged through the window during coronavirus social distancingL
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner said of the initiative in a statement;
“At President Trump’s direction we formed an unprecedented public-private partnership to ensure that massive amounts of masks, gear and other PPE will be brought to the United States immediately to better equip our health care workers on the front lines and to better serve the American people,”
In hospitals and after shifts, doctors and nurses have been sharing selfies to illustrate just how incredibly tough the fight against coronavirus is on the front line.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: PA Images]]
Now, per the Mirror, Dr Sam Atallah has shared a heart-rending selfie with his wife, just before she was moved to a coronavirus isolation ward.
Atallah wrote;
"My wife: on a stretcher just before being transferred to the #COVID19 isolation ward
"Me: holding back tears
"Get well soon so we can celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary Friday
Meanwhile, President Trump insisted that the US was in "very good shape" to provide enough ventilators for patients who need them during the peak of the infection - predicted to come in two weeks time.
"We have now 10 companies at least making the ventilators, and we say go ahead because, honestly, other countries - they'll never be able to do it," Mr Trump said during Monday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing from the White House.
Staff at a hospital in New York City have been given free holidays as a token of gratitude for their tireless work on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Queens-based NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst has been inundated with patients due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, however, their hard work has not gone unseen or unappreciated.
American Airlines and Hyatt Hotels Corporation have recognised the "extraordinary care" the 4,000-strong team of doctors, physicians, nurses and food service professionals have provided to their community, and have decided to offer them a "three-night complimentary vacations to help them recharge and reconnect with their loved ones."
[[imagecaption|| Credit: PA]]
A statement issued by Israel Rocha, the Vice President of NYC Health + Hospitals, reads:
"Our doctors, nurses, and other staff on the front lines of this unprecedented health care crisis really appreciate the outpouring of support from two of America’s major companies, and we look forward to taking advantage of these well-earned vacations in the near future."
The "honoured guests" will be treated to round-trip holidays via priority airfare to selected destinations across the USA and the Caribbean, once government guidelines state it is safe to do so.
Mark Hoplamazian, the President and CEO of Hyatt hotels, said that they believed it was their responsibility to take care of healthcare workers "like members of our own family."
"We are humbled by the health care workers’ dedication to saving lives… we look forward to making their stays special when they are able to take a hard-earned break," he added.
Watch as a 106-year-old woman is applauded for beating the coronavirus:
The hospital is reportedly one of the hardest-hit in New York, with ICU capacity having been scaled up by 500% to fight the virus.
In another statement, President of American Airlines, Robert Isom, corroborated:
"Every worker at Elmhurst has seen and experienced challenges many of us cannot imagine. They’ve given so much of themselves and chose to serve their community with care, compassion and equity for every patient.
When they are able to take a break, we hope the time away will help them and their loved ones recharge and that they feel our deepest appreciation for their sacrifice and heroism."
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.
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".
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."
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":
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Facebook]]
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Facebook]]
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Facebook]]
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.
"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.
And now it has emerged that the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City will be allowing doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to stay at the hotel for free, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday.
Prince Charles recently reached out to the "isolated and lonely" in this touching video message:
"The Four Seasons Hotel on 57th Street will provide FREE lodging to doctors, nurses & medical personnel currently working to respond to the #COVID19 pandemic," Mr. Cuomo wrote on Twitter.
"Thank you [Four Seasons Hotel]," he added. "The first of many hotels we hope will make their rooms available."
The move will prevent those working tirelessly in hospitals from potentially passing on the deadly virus to those that they live with.
In a statement to WCBS, Ty Warner, the chairman of the hotel’s corporate owner, said,
“Our health care workers are working tirelessly on the front lines of this crisis. Many of those working in New York City have to travel long distances to and from their homes after putting in 18-hour days. They need a place close to work where they can rest and regenerate. I heard Governor Cuomo’s call to action during one of his press conferences, and there was no other option for us but do whatever we could to help.”
New York is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. In the US overall, there have currently been 190,089 confirmed cases of the disease.
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