It hardly seemed possible on Feb. 6, 2020, when the first official COVID-19 fatality was recorded in the U.S. that 999,999 others would follow.
Bearing witness to COVID-19 deathswill never forget his first COVID-19 patientThe man was alone in a room, on a floor that was eerily quiet. The only people who got near him were medical staff obscured by layers of personal protective equipment. The patient was gravely ill, and his daughter was coming to see him before he died.
Deegan approached the room and met Dr. Marwa Kilani, the hospital’s medical director of palliative care. Kilani relayed some sobering news regarding the man’s daughter:So Deegan went downstairs to meet the daughter outside the hospital lobby. He called Kilani on his iPhone and handed it to her. Up on the ward, Kilani held her phone soI see you. I love you.
When you get to heaven, tell Mom, ‘I love you.’ I am going to be OK. You are going to be OK. Just rest. Just rest,’” the 36-year-old chaplainWhile the daughter said goodbye, Deegan grappled with feelings of confusion, anger and helplessness. Then, he said, “she handed me the phone back, and I thought she was possibly upset, but when we stood up, she hugged me, and she said, ‘Chaplain Kevin Deegan chats by video with a nearly 102-year-old patient and her family in 2020.
Deegan also remembers when the hospital policy changed and relatives were allowed to say their farewells in person. In particular, he remembers the wife and two children of a longtime patient named Bob Harris.“It was tragic. It was beautiful. It was hard,”The thing is, the work of a hospital chaplain isn’t done in an empty chapel. It depends on being close to the people who need him.Deegan said. “Support cannot be done after the fact. I had to be here while it happened.
With coronavirus infection rates once again rising in California, he’s a little anxious about having to go back into surge mode.. We are not going anywhere.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Uber Eats is launching two autonomous delivery pilots today in Los Angeles | EngadgetUber Eats is launching not just one but two autonomous delivery pilots today in Los Angeles,.
Read more »
A Few Strong Storms Possible Today, Otherwise Hottest Week So Far this Year - Alabama NewsA surface front will be moving through Central Alabama today that will help fire off some showers and thunderstorms across the area this afternoon, especially during the late morning through the early evening hours.
Read more »
D.C.-area forecast: Severe storm threat today, amazing Tuesday, late week heat blastStorms this afternoon could produce damaging winds, hail and even a tornado.
Read more »
Early voting starts today in May 24 Texas primary runoffsTexans will be choosing the final nominees in a number of high-profile statewide and...
Read more »
Today in sports history: May 161980 — The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-107 to win the NBA title in six games. Rookie guard Magic Johnson fills in at center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and comes up with 42 points, 15 rebounds…
Read more »
Northeast Ohio weather: Showers in the area today; cooler the next few daysWe've got some wet weather ahead. ☔🌧 Get the latest 19 First Alert Forecast:
Read more »