NYC

Tonight, I showered with the hottest water temperature available. The water was so hot my skin burned. I scrubbed my body continuously until it felt as though it were being rubbed with sandpaper. 

Six days ago, I decided to take an assignment in New York City. It wasn’t planned which is not my usual M.O.  I’m meticulous, cautious, and I live with anxiety. Every decision is well thought out and I always have a contingency plan. 

Since the COVID-19 outbreak I have been concerned. I hate to be the one who said “told you so” but on a daily, I prepare for the worst to happen. This was the worst and I knew it would happen. I knew we wouldn’t be prepared, I knew we’d have lack of supplies, I knew we’d have pushback from those who think this is complete bull****. What I didn’t expect was a push inside of me. I watched a video on YouTube by accident. It was by Washington Post and it was inside a local ER in NYC. The nurse looked so defeated and I just started crying. I mentioned periodically to my husband about going and his response was always the same, “you could never leave your kids to go!” Yeah he was right so I let it go. A week passes by and I was sent a screenshot of an agency’s post offering a pretty good contract that was only 3 weeks. So I thought I’d call and if I didn’t get through then it wasn’t meant to be. 

I got through. Right away.  People waited 3.5+ hours calling the phone lines like a lottery system but I got through. 

Whether you believe in a higher being or not, this was my sign. This was my push. I wasn’t prepared to leave 2 days later. I didn’t have many supplies. I couldn’t find masks anywhere and yet so many people donated items without even knowing me. 

So I did what I knew I was meant to do. I left my still breastfed baby, my 2nd Grader who I’ve been homeschooling and my loving husband and boarded a plane to NYC. 

I worked my first shift today in the ER. The hospital I was assigned to is in a low income side of town. Much like my home ER, these patients are predominately Spanish speaking,  low income, and have been coming to this hospital their whole life. The hospital needs love. Like SO MUCH LOVE. Think of like a state hospital from the 60s kind of love.

I took care of several COVID patients in quick increments. Like most ER’s usually are, it was fast paced and I was moved to several assignments during my shift. I was so thirsty but scared to Doff since I wouldn’t be getting another plastic gown to cover my scrubs. There’s so many lack of supplies and not just PPE. Their few supplies are kept being a locked door that can only be accessed by charge nurse. 

Everyone is scared. Patients. Their family members. Staff. 

But these nurses were welcoming and kind. 

So tonight, I took the hottest  shower available and tomorrow, I will do it again.