As COVID-19 sweep’s across the nation. Health Care workers in Carroll County, Maryland face an emotional toll while caring for those in a small knit community.
March 30th 2020
On March 30th, 2020, the Carroll County Health Department reported 77 COVID-19 cases at the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mount Airy, Maryland. Sixteen were hospitalized, two were reported dead.
April 1st 2020
I’ve lived and worked in the community as a public health nurse for twenty some years. Nothing has been quite as emotionally draining as dealing with this outbreak in the community.
April 3rd 2020
“Carroll Hospital sits a half-mile from our home in Westminster. At the end of the day, when I want to get away from everything COVID, I’m confronted with the frequent sounds of sirens. ”
April 6th 2020
What a beautiful spring day. The birds are chirping, dogs are barking, the neighbors kids are playing outside, bees are buzzing. It feels like a typical spring evening.
But then, I hear sirens and a helicopter and I’m instantly reminded of our COVID 19 status.
I just got home from work about an hour ago since I had a tele- health doctor follow up appointment for my chronic anemia.
My doctor knows my job and we chatted about the COVID crisis. He tells me he had no PPE and can’t seem to find any anywhere. I make a mental note to email our logisics officer in charge of PPE to let her know of his situation.
It’s a small community and I tell him how sick I felt when I got the news of 66 people at the nursing home (now 77) that were diagnosed with COVID. Some have passed away and I’m sure more will follow. When will it end?
When will I see my kids and my parents?When will I give them big hugs and kisses and hold them tight? When?
When will the sirens stop? I give my nurses their COVID assignments throughout the day and jokingly say “incoming”. Things are ramping up. Why do I think this is just the beginning….
April 7th 2020
“We’re seeing more cases and deaths... we’re just taking it one day at a time. ”
Community members and health department workers write words of encouragement on the sidewalks outside the health department and hospital.
April 9th 2020
“I don’t feel as terrified as I did before. I think its because I’m getting used to this new normal...”
April 10th 2020
I’m seeing all kinds of stuff on the internet lately regarding COVID 19. Seeing some things like stop social distancing and let’s have herd immunity by isolating the vulnerable (i.e...people in nursing homes) and let the rest of us move about the country freely and get the virus since 80% of us will do fine. This will exterminate the virus quickly .This goes against “most” medical experts and researchers.
Yes, many will do well but for the ones that need medical care, there has to be a hospital bed for you or your family member. Mask them all, right? Sure, but there is limited PPE so it’s not that simple.
April 12th 2020
Easter dinners at my parents house with lots of family and Easter egg hunts for the kids. Then there were years of celebrating with sunrise services on the beach in Sunset Beach, NC. Watching the sun come up over the ocean is so beautiful and really gives the sense of God’s presence. Then three years ago, Grace moved to Rochester, NY, and I found Spiritu Christi Church. Their Masses are beautiful.
Easter traditions have changed over the years. When it was just Joe and I, we would drive to The Grotto in Emmitsburg and celebrate with an ecumenical sunrise service and watch the sun come up over the mountain. One year, I was particularly emotional and cried when they sang Amazing Grace. I was pregnant with Grace and that is when she received her name meaning God’s Blessing ...which she truly is.
I love being together as a family to celebrate Easter. I know that is not the case this year but it still is a beautiful day. No virus can take away our faith. No virus can take away our love. We will all be together in spirit. May all of you, regardless of your belief, feel the healing presence of something so Great you are filled with peace, joy and love Happy Easter. He LIVES!
April 29th 2020
“You want to work as long and hard as you can to stop the spread. But you also have to take care of yourself.”
Signs of support line the walkway out side Carroll Hospital in Westminster, MD.
March 1st 2020
I've watched my mom take on a lot this past month and endlessly work herself for the well being of others. Her compassion and selflessness are nothing short of awe-worthy. She is SO strong! I've also watched the gravity of this situation take its toll on her, and it breaks my heart. I'm so grateful that my mom isn't directly on the front lines of this virus-driven war; my heart goes out to all who are.
I can't imagine what the coming weeks and months will hold, how much more tragedy our little town, and many others around the world will face. Now is the time for us to put aside our differences, stop fighting over what is right or wrong, and focus on loving each other.