“I Feel Like We Are Just Being Sent To Slaughter” Scared NY Nurses Share Their Stories [Video]
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The coronavirus outbreak has led to many hardships and stress for millions of people across the world. It has proven to be difficult for normal people to get tested for the virus. Doctors and nurses are a major part of that group because they too are being denied testing even if they are experiencing symptoms. A nurse discusses her struggles to get tested during the pandemic in the NowThis News video below. Take a look.
She details that it’s been hard for her during this pandemic for a multitude of reasons. She has experienced symptoms of COVID-19 but cannot get tested. After using up all of her sick leave, she is no longer getting paid. As a medical professional on the front lines, she wonders how athletes and celebrities are tested so quickly. Several basketball players were able to be tested along with celebrities like Tom Hanks. Hanks has already recovered from the virus along with his wife Rita Wilson. Yet someone whose line of work is to help others combat the virus cannot even get tested. She describes this as “disheartening” and “upsetting.”
New York Times has reported that 2 nurses have died and more than 200 workers have fallen sick. In the same article, Thomas Riley, a nurse at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx who has contracted the virus along with his husband said, “I feel like we’re all just being sent to slaughter.”
Medical workers are still showing up to do their duties as emergency rooms are overflowing.
Lack Of “Preparedness” In Hospitals In The US To Fight Coronavirus
Her message to take away from the video is that the medical field should have been more prepared for such a virus. After working through H1N1 and Ebola, she thought necessary measures would be taken to stay prepared if another outbreak ever occurred. But without the necessary supplies or access to testing for healthcare workers, she fears that this outbreak could escalate and go on for a while. She is disappointed not only by her employer but also the nation. Her video message came amidst a countrywide effort to attain more medical supplies such as masks and ventilators after hospitals were experiencing shortages.
Doctors and nurses have been reusing masks as they continue to be exposed to the virus from patients over and over again.
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Other Nurses Are Sharing Their Similar Experiences After Being Exposed To The Virus
Several people in the medical profession have taken to social media lately to express how difficult it has been working long hours and even being exposed to the virus. One comment on the video from a hospital worker detailed how one nurse struggled for two weeks to get tested. Eventually, she tested positive. Not only did she not get priority in testing because she is a healthcare worker, but her other co-workers have now been exposed to the virus and nothing is being done about it.
Another comment questioned why healthcare workers are not immediately tested when they have symptoms. She raised several questions about healthcare workers possibly working while sick and how it could continue spreading the virus.
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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted about nurse manager Kious Kelly who contracted the virus at work and then lost his life. He noted that healthcare workers are losing their lives trying to save other people’s lives. Healthcare workers are very clearly at risk for contracting the virus and need more protective equipment to prevent more cases like this.
The United States is currently preparing for millions of necessary medical supplies to be airlifted from Shanghai within the next few weeks. Hospital workers are hoping this, along with more rapid coronavirus testing will provide some relief for them and lessen their risks of contracting or spreading the virus.
