NYC in the Age of COVID-19

This is midtown Manhattan on my way home today, around 4:30. Normally, this is very crowded. To say I’m jealous of the people who can work from home or telecommute would not be inaccurate. To say that I’m frustrated and even a bit angry, is an understatement. I’m not frustrated or angry at the people who can still work from home. But I do have feelings about that, which I can’t quite articulate.

Since I last posted, so much has happened. I moved (still in NY though). I changed jobs - got promoted at the same hospital to a new job (non-patient facing now) and more in management.

But since the pandemic, my role at the hospital is actually still quite hard, even though I don’t face patients now. I go to the hospital every work day, feeling like I’m going to battle. NYC is...different. EVERYthing is different.

But at least I’m still alive and not sick... but my husband and I are pretty much expecting I’ll bring the virus home with me. It’s not a question of “if” but “when”.

Yesterday I lost it on the train. Just started tearing up about the stress and anxiety and anger and awfulness of it all. And then it just turned into full on crying. Not quite the chest heaving crying but close.

I’m tired (beyond tired, actually). I’m still thankful I have a job but it’s fucking HARD to go to work everyday. I’ve had patients threaten my life before, try to attack me, threaten to kill others.... NONE of that compares to this. I have never felt this scared to go to work before....and between constant hand washing and not touching my face or eyes and trying to find PPE and then back to back to back meetings about COVID-19 and what we need to know to protect our staff, I sometimes barely have time to breathe, take a break, go to the bathroom. Each day I’m just trying to keep my shit together.

I just want this whole thing to resolve.

I sincerely hope you all are well. And staying the fuck home if you don’t have to work like I do.

Xoxo

[Kathy A]

Your narrative totally resonates with me being a nurse. I’m just anxiously waiting for the virus to arrive and engulf me

[Domenico Dodaro]

We have been grown unprepared to anything like this. In Italy it is a war bulletin every day. We live closed in our homes and, yes, we feel fu*ing lucky to be able to stay at home, while our friends or darling are on the battlefield, just like you are. Stay safe, Ms T. (“Jessica”). This darn thing will be over.

[Tom]

The image really tells the story of New York in the time of COVID-19.
Hoping that you and your husband will be safe.

[petaqui]

Quite empty streets considering the place. Love how cool the street looks (ignoring the fact of f****G coronavirus). Hope you are fine and staying okey!