"I’m terrified of getting sick myself and dying a terrible air hungry death."

I’ve already seen mass sick calls from nurses, scrambling for beds and staff, and palpable fear in staff who are usually like rocks.

I’m terrified of coming to work without my team. I’m terrified of my coworkers getting sick. I’m terrified of getting sick myself and dying a terrible air hungry death.

I’m worried for my parents and my family, but I can’t even see my family because I have such a high level of exposure at work. I must avoid the people I love because I can’t socially isolate.  

I’m feeling guilty that so many are losing their jobs and stability while I work more than ever.

I’m worried about all the patients who may end up in severe irreversible ARDS and on vents until we must withdraw care... and I know that it will hurt me every time. Every time.  

I’m worried about the entire structure of society being compromised by a 20% unemployment rate... it’s as if the pillars of society have eroded and we are just supposed to keep working. 

At some point we could run out of supplies, but if we don’t go to work then there will be no one to care for the patients. No one anywhere…until eventually there won’t be anyone to care for our own parents or grandparents when they get sick.

— ICU RN, March 2020 (USA)