“We’re going to war every day with no ammo.”

At first I didn’t want to believe it. It seemed like another flu season. Until it was in our town.

I took care of the first COVID positive patients who came to our rural hospital 6 weeks ago. They were already positive and had been at home self quarantined until their conditions worsened. We had 2 hours to throw together a plan and it worked. Everything was flawless and we did this without an isolation tent. But this was 2 people and 6 weeks ago. We had everything we needed: gloves, masks, CAPRS, booties, everything. We thought, yes! We can handle this!   

But now, 6 weeks later, I am being asked to reuse my N95 mask for a week! The other day my strap broke and I had to beg for a new one. My coworker tied his broken strap behind his head because he couldn’t find another one. I find this disgusting and inhuman. What happens when I really need an N95 for TB patient? My own mother is sewing HEPA masks for myself and all of my coworkers because she is so concerned for us.   

I go to work now scared for what might happen without the proper equipment to protect myself, my patients or coworkers.

We’re all exhausted. We’re overworked and overwhelmed. The system is failing us and our patients. i hate to think that this is the new norm, but I am afraid it is.  We feel like we’re going to war every day with no ammo.

— Emergency Room RN, March 2020 (California, USA)