Video footage of people applauding health care workers from their homes has been sweeping through social media, and for good reason: It's a really lovely thing to see at a time that feels so desolate and confusing. Now doctors in New York are getting in on the action.
A few of the doctors at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, took it upon themselves to applaud three of their coronavirus patients who have survived the illness. The patients have all been recently discharged.
Michael Goldberg, the executive director of the hospital, posted a video of the doctors applauding online. He said that he posted the video so the team could "celebrate the wins."
The video footage is really powerful, and it feels nice to see doctors and patients so happy about an outcome at a time like this. Jeff Rose, who is a critical care ICU nurse at the hospital, also shared his own footage.
Michael Goldberg captioned his video, "We celebrate the wins @insidelij! A proper send off tonight for 3 people surviving #covid and going home. I am humbled every day when I see what is going on #insidelij. This crisis is not what any of us could have imagined we would find ourselves in when we went into healthcare—but it is exactly why we went into it."
He also added, "We are here to save lives, to fight for our community, and to give hope and support to those who need it most. Every experience you have had has prepared you for this battle. You are ready to win, and we will do so together! #thankshealthheroes #healthcareheroes."
ICU nurse Jeff Rosa added a photo online of several health care workers lining the hallway as patients who had survived the virus left the hospital. He wrote, "Around 3p today we heard special tones go off in the hospital. We braced for another rapid response or code blue. But today was a special moment to be celebrated. At that time an announcement followed the tones to announce that a COVID patient had recovered and was being discharged home. Today was a good day."
These stories come at a time when it can feel hard to find stories about coronavirus survivors. Happily, those stories are everywhere. Kirkland, Washington, has been celebrated since 90-year-old Geneva Wood beat the virus. Geneva is understandably thrilled: "It's super great to be able to reach out and touch my kids and give them a hug or give them a kick, whatever they need."
Elizabeth Schneider is another coronavirus survivor who has been sharing her story. She's a 37-year-old who believes she caught the virus while at a friend's house for a party in early March. While her experience with the virus was not easy, she has happily recovered.
Yvonne Walters is a 27-year-old from Louisiana who only recently recovered from the virus. As a nurse tech, she came in contact with patients who had it. She said, "My voice hasn’t come back 100% and I’m still a little weak and I still get a little winded."
She also added that she assumed she had the flu at first until she noticed she was having trouble breathing. She spent a long time on a ventilator and in an induced coma and is grateful to be back in her regular life. She remembers her first phone call with her family. "As soon as I was able to talk … I was able to hear everyone's voices and it just made me more grateful for my family and friends and everyone who is praying for me."
Bill Kelly is a 95-year-old survivor of the virus who is also sharing this tale. Bill also lived through the Great Depression and fought in World War II, so he is definitely a survivor. He says, "It's just something that you deal with as you get it. The big thing with me is that if I feel that I'm coming down with something, take good care and get help, find out what to do and do what you're supposed to do, get plenty of rest — that sort of thing."
People around the world have also been taking a moment each day to celebrate the health care workers in their communities. The BBC shared this moving video from Italy and Spain, and noted, "Applause could be heard across Spain and Italy yesterday as residents clapped from their windows to show gratitude to health workers on the coronavirus frontline. The nationwide events were organised through social media to take place at the same time."
People in New York City have also been filmed applauding health care workers and first responders. The mass events are coordinated on social media, and have been really uplifting for both the workers and everyone else who is watching them. It's moving to see so many people supporting those who need it the most right now.
Always check with your health care provider concerning any symptoms you may be experiencing, and seek the most accurate information from the CDC and your state’s health department.
