Coronavirus is merciless. We’ve seen a rise in the number of cases, hours of efforts put in by the frontline warriors, a large number of sacrifices made by the healthcare workers and too many cases where due to disrupted lifestyles, people are going through a whole lot of mental health issues. Amongst all these our nurses are standing strong, on the front, fighting off the virus, trying to protect us. Here are a few heartbreaking stories we came across showing how these nurses have proved to be a backbone during the world health crisis. 

 A nurse named Jaya from Karnataka, who worked in the critical care ward had promised to herself that she wouldn’t let anyone die alone.  She said, “I’m going to sit there, I’m going to hold their hand, I’m going to pat their forehead, I’m going to be there with them until their last breath. When other nurses were running around trying to manage the patients and even celebrating when someone got better and discharged, I stayed put and consoled as many patients I could, just so that they could die in peace. 

One patient, Mrs Ayalur was on her death bed and wanted to see her daughter for the last time. Her daughter was stuck in Mysore due to the lockdown and couldn’t come to see her mother. All I could think of was to get them both on face time for a final goodbye. On the call, Vidhya, her daughter asked me to do a few things that she would’ve done if she had been there next to her mother. I held Ayalur aunty’s hand, rubbed and patted her head slowly, reminding her that she was loved and that it was okay to go. I told Mrs Ayalur, from Vidhya’s side that her children are all well-settled and that she need not worry about them anymore. Vidhya wanted to tell her mother to go in peace and not worry about anything anymore...Mrs Ayalur breathed her last during the same video call. It was such an emotional, beautiful moment...it was almost as if I had been blessed by Christ to see and live such as beautiful moment. For many days, after Mrs Ayalur passed away, I felt enveloped in a deep peace.  

But, I’ve also witnessed very ugly moments of humanity when the child doesn’t want to see you and the parent cries; I’ve helped such patients on their death bed too. As a human being and a nurse I did everything possible in my power to comfort them and tell them that I was there with them. This disease has brought out the worst and the best in people...I have seen so much in so few days, that I have lost count of my sleeping hours, eating, meals etc...these memories weigh very heavily on my mind all the time, even though in our training we are taught how to not get involved in a patient’s emotional life, but I have not been able  to do that.” 

Nurses have no leisure of day offs, especially during this rough phase. Ashwi, a nurse from Mumbai had planned on going to her uncle’s home in Nasik for the Marathi New Year. She had sent her mother and 5-year-old daughter ahead and was going to join them before the 25th of March. 

But as the NEWS and cases of coronavirus had started to take a toll on the country she said, “I need to stay, I cannot go now, people need my help. I told myself, Ashwi this is the hard patch, be prepared and protect yourself well. Initially, we weren’t supplied with the protective suit but then I thought I could always wear a raincoat instead. As we were used to disposing off the masks, our supply for fresh masks, the most important protective gear was scarce. But then I asked my friends all over Maharashtra to send one to me so that I can help my colleagues as much as possible. I realised, that there is always a way to deal with the problems. 

Considering the temperature in Mumbai, it was difficult for me to be wearing the raincoat for 8-10 hours straight but I did it for two days until we got proper protective gear. I’d promised my daughter I’ll see her soon, but it has been more than two months since I last saw her. It's not just a difficult job but it's very sad and heartbreaking as most of the time, we don't even have time to think about our own safety. There are nights when I just sleep on chairs after the shifts because I am too tired to walk or go to my room, come back in a few hours. I have been staying in the hospital quarters on and off while my husband has been managing alone at home. I feel my house is in a mess, my relationship is strained and I miss my child so much it almost hurts, and still, when people blame us for not saving someone, it just breaks my heart!”

 Coronavirus has hit healthcare workers harder than us. It has affected their personal lives, their mental health and also they have fallen prey to the virus. According to the WHO reports, 22000+ healthcare workers have been infected by COVID from across 52 countries and are still battling to get better and start treating patients as soon as possible. It is high time we acknowledge their pain and efforts and support them in every way possible.