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10 Pics That Show The Reality Of COVID-19 At Hospitals, Captured By This Photographer
For so many of us isolated in our homes, the fight at the Covid-19 frontlines remains a mystery. We're unaware of the energy and sacrifice the medical staff devote to combating the pandemic as well as all the suffering it has demanded from the ill.
Go Nakamura, however, is here to give us a better understanding of the situation. The Houston-based photojournalist who relocated to Texas just over a year ago has visited the United Memorial Medical Center more than 20 times since May, documenting everything that goes on in the COVID ward.
As the coronavirus death toll in the United States on Monday surpassed 300,000 people, let's hope that these images will raise our collective sense of responsibility and remind us to do everything in our power to stay safe.
(h/t buzzfeed)
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Nov. 26. Dr Joseph Varon Comforts A Patient With Coronavirus Disease. I Am Grateful To Witness A Wonderful Moment And I Thank All The Medical Staffs For Their Hard Work Even During The Holiday Season
"In the Covid unit, they usually have 20 beds. The first time I visited, the beds were almost full, and then as I went back over the summer, they expanded the ward so that by now, it's about 30 beds," Nakamura told BuzzFeed.
The photographer has to be fully covered in personal protective equipment before he starts shooting inside the Covid ward, and there are a few rules he has to follow too. For example, Nakamura cannot take pictures of things that would identify the patient. "When I go into the Covid ward with the doctor, he asks the patient for me if I can come in with him. Many of the patients are unconscious, but those who are conscious will say no or yes. Those who say no, I wait outside. For those that say yes, I have been strictly instructed that I should not take a picture of the faces of the patients, so every time I take a picture, I hide their faces behind the devices, IV pumps or electrocardiograms. I think if I could just show the faces of the patients, it would be a much stronger photo and much easier for me to frame. So it is a challenge."
RELATED:
#2
A Medical Staff Member Rests In Front Of A Fan In The Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit On June 30 In Houston
Serial pacifist 4 years ago
My wife is a medical worker. I love my wife. I love her more for what she does, not ashamed to admit it.
When Nakamura is in the Covid ward, he feels his adrenaline pumping but he must hold it together and focus on shooting. When he gets out of the hospital and looks at the pictures on the computer screen, that's when it all really hits me so hard.
"I have access to trauma resources through Getty, and the doctors and nurses themselves have been so helpful. The very first time I went into the nurses station at the hospital, Dr. [Joseph] Varon came to the door and invited me in, and started to introduce me. The medical staff were talking and laughing with each other, and I thought this is a very good environment, a fun workplace, and five minutes later, the doctor turned to me, looked directly into my eyes with a very serious face and said we try to laugh off everything because otherwise you would go crazy."
#3
A Medical Staff Member Grabs A Hand Of A Patient To Reposition The Bed In The Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit On Oct. 31 In Houston
Nakamura said he's doing this job because he wants people to know what is really going on inside the hospitals. "It is very rough inside. I am not a medical specialist, so I am not used to seeing the harsh stuff. Sometimes I want to cover my eyes, but I have to take the photo, and I want the people to know how others are struggling — of course the patients but also the medical workers," he said, adding that the hospital staff are exhausted.
"I think that Dr. Varon has been working for more than 260 days straight, and the nurses since the beginning of summer with no days off. They have been working so hard. If I can get the pictures out there, and I appreciate that many people can see these, I want to let them know what is happening inside, and what they can do to improve the situation."
#4
Members Of The Medical Staff Rest In The Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit At The United Memorial Medical Center On July 2 In Houston
Linda Williams 4 years ago
This is a very powerful image. I can't even imagine how some people can still say it's just a flu...
#5
Medical Staff Member Jaqoues Bistre Varon Flips A Patient In The Prone Position In The Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit On Dec. 7
#6
Iv Pumps And Electrocardiogram Machines Are Seen In A Patient's Room In The Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit On Dec. 7 In Houston
Teresa Thomas 4 years ago
And we can thank the NURSES for the care they are receiving, because a doctor truly could not rig this up
#7
Medical Staff Wearing Full Ppe Push A Stretcher With The Body Of A Patient Who Died Of The Coronavirus To A Car Outside Of The Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit On June 30 In Houston
#8
Members Of The Medical Staff Treat A Patient Who Is Wearing A Helmet-Based Ventilator In The Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit On July 28 In Houston
#9
Medical Staff Member Gabriel Cervera Rodriguez Closes His Eyes While Taking A Short Break In The Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit On Dec. 2
#10
Medical Staff Members Treat A Patient In The Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit On Nov. 10 In Houston
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What do you think ?
Liam Walsh 4 years ago
Bumped into an old friend while walking my dog (we stayed at a distance) and he said 'I still think this Covid thing is some kind of hoax'... Sorry, meant to say 'bumped into an ex-friend and covidiot'.
Louloubelle 4 years ago
This is sad. But it does make one question their values when it comes to choosing friends.
Load More Replies...
Chelsea Corkum 4 years ago
Look what these folks are wearing day in, day out for long shifts, in hot rooms, doing physical work. Now tell me how much your cute little fabric masks makes you uncomfortable for your 30 minutes in the grocery store.
Freya the Wanderer 4 years ago
COVID deniers and anti-maskers should be forced to listen to these people, to see first hand what is going on at hospitals.
Load More Replies...
Randolph Croft 4 years ago (edited)
Well, it's just a 'theory', after all.... /gentle snark
Load More Replies...
Louloubelle 4 years ago
Just a little side note to this. My husband works at a hospital (he's a house plumber, not a medical worker), and when someone recovers from covid, and is being discharged, they play "Here Comes the Sun" over the intercom system. It's not much, but it keeps up morale.
J. Normal 4 years ago
He is as important as the Doctors and Nurses! Thank him for helping to keep things "flowing" smoothly!
Load More Replies...
Who? Me? 4 years ago
The sad thing is that it is the same all over the world. The conditions in third world countries are worse. Yet some people believe that the disease is a hoax. I salute the people who are doing every bit to save our lives. They deserve applause and respect
LuckyL 4 years ago
What I really don't understand is, what do this covidiots think is the reason for this hoax. Why are so many countries willingly destroying their economy
Load More Replies...
mph seti 4 years ago
These types of images should be all over the news media. Not yet more photos of trump looking stupid/angry/distant. There are people in the US (and around the world, to a lesser extent, I assume) who still think this is no big deal or even a hoax...
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago (edited)
I was watching some British news channel yesterday and holy shįt they get so much more information than we do in the USA. Like the news was breaking down all of the virus mutations in each county. Crazy. We haven’t heard a damn thing about community specific mutations in the US. Fûck even community specific, we haven’t heard much of anything about mutations at all! I hate the media in this country.
Load More Replies...
oleihC LaSpain 4 years ago
ICU nurse from UK, I could relate to these pictures,trully heartbreaking. We became somebody's mom, dad, sis, bro whilst holding a dying patient's hand.
deanna woods 4 years ago
This illness is very serious and I wish that people would stop saying that it isn't. My father doesn't have to avoid going outside for the flu, but he has to do it for COVID19. At the restaurant I work at we have to take our temperature every day and some of the deliveries I take are contactless. We didn't have to do this with the flu. Please stop comparing this horrible virus to the flu. They are not even close to each other.
Louloubelle 4 years ago
Deanna woods, first I so agree with you, you're spot on. I just looked up statistics, and I don't understand what this guy is trying to get at. It looks like according to fullfact.org, about 25,000 people died from the flu in the UK in 2019. So far they've had roughly 65,000 die from covid. Unless this guy doesn't get math that is SIGNIFICANTLY higher. So clearly he's NOT taking the pandemic seriously.
Load More Replies...
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
I really wish this were much longer. It’s so deeply interesting and important. Rarely do I ever want a BP article to be longer, because they’re usually so so long.
Bill Warren 10 months ago
There i a hospital tha had n covid patiants, as soon as vaccines started in tthe people came, the vaccine is it cause.
Faith Nicole 3 years ago
My prayers go out to all those suffering from this disease weather recovering or just diagnosed. And a huge thank you go all the medical workers and prayers to you all as well. Mg boyfriends parents both got covid, his father is recovering & his mother unfortunately passed away from this terrible disease. Please keep you and your loved ones safe and wear a mask! It truly can save a life
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
This is what Covid is about. Not asymptomatic people walking around... these are the true victims of this virus, and the truly amazing people, who take care of them. This virus is not just a flu, it is a deadly virus to some, and others like the fly on Pences’ hair. Not all will die, but not all will recover beach to their version of normal. Our world has changed. Everywhere. There will be more things like this in the future, because of what goes on. Please stay home over the holidays! Or risk consigning your friends, family and strangers, to certain death, or a body ravaged by a virus that doesn’t care who you are, where you are, or what you do or how much money you have. Be safe, and save others.. Especially the healthcare and first responders who do the care for them... one day, they may be too tired to do their job.. who will do it then?
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
I went for a COVID-19 test at a walk in testing centre. You want to break hearts? Take a photo of a young mother holding a baby that is barely crying, coughing and fighting weakly against being swabbed for a test as the mother cries so much her face mask is dark from being soaked in her tears. Now add to that the volunteer trying their f**king hardest to be encouraging and keep looking professional and calm but when you look closely you can see the makeup that is covering the swollen red eyes of someone who has cried 3 times today, and it's only 10am! Then back to the mother holding her baby close to her not giving a single f**k if she gets infected by her baby as the tears really begin to flow. I was in there for 15 minutes and saw her being taken away in an ambulance and the volunteer hiding round the back crying her heart out. Hence me calling covidiots Baby Killers. Sorry, if there's any spelling mistakes but this was a month or 2 ago and it still reduces me to tears.
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
My heart goes out to anyone who is working flat out to help those with covid and it goes out to anyone who has, knows anyone who has or has had family either catch or die of covid.
Load More Replies...
Julie C Rose 4 years ago
I want to go to the US, give a hard kick in the genitals to every politician who caused this situation and then just pay the $3,100 for managed isolation to get back into New Zealand. Our healthcare system is so underfunded that just flattening the curve would still have overloaded it - that’s the real reason why we went for elimination. And I know of countries with much fewer resources than us who were careful with covid so that their systems could handle it. Yet the US government allowed this to happen by being so horrible about the pandemic. F**k everyone who caused this utterly needless situation.
Maanya Chandra 4 years ago
OML. This made me cry my eyes out. These doctors and nurses are saving the world. Thanks to them! <3
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
He's in full gear, it's to help people realize it isn't a hoax. It's not meant as a slap in any face, except the Covid-deniers. Also, the hospital was keeping *you* safe. I know. It sucks. I've handled this since March/April except a break in summer when my brain fried out at my volunteer job. Translating Medical to Everyday, acting as an intermediary between patients and families, etc. I get it. BUT... the hospital I'm at? We have people like me ----- volunteers, in PPE ---- to stay with non_Covid patients so they are NOT alone. So they are NOT scared. It's why we burn out. We're in full PPE so we don't make anyone sicker. It's creepy-seeming, it's awful for everyone, but it's necessary right now. Please, know that nobody wanted it to be like this for you or your family. Peace.
Load More Replies... Liam Walsh 4 years ago
Bumped into an old friend while walking my dog (we stayed at a distance) and he said 'I still think this Covid thing is some kind of hoax'... Sorry, meant to say 'bumped into an ex-friend and covidiot'.
Louloubelle 4 years ago
This is sad. But it does make one question their values when it comes to choosing friends.
Load More Replies... Chelsea Corkum 4 years ago
Look what these folks are wearing day in, day out for long shifts, in hot rooms, doing physical work. Now tell me how much your cute little fabric masks makes you uncomfortable for your 30 minutes in the grocery store.
Freya the Wanderer 4 years ago
COVID deniers and anti-maskers should be forced to listen to these people, to see first hand what is going on at hospitals.
Load More Replies... Randolph Croft 4 years ago (edited)
Well, it's just a 'theory', after all.... /gentle snark
Load More Replies... Louloubelle 4 years ago
Just a little side note to this. My husband works at a hospital (he's a house plumber, not a medical worker), and when someone recovers from covid, and is being discharged, they play "Here Comes the Sun" over the intercom system. It's not much, but it keeps up morale.
J. Normal 4 years ago
He is as important as the Doctors and Nurses! Thank him for helping to keep things "flowing" smoothly!
Load More Replies... Who? Me? 4 years ago
The sad thing is that it is the same all over the world. The conditions in third world countries are worse. Yet some people believe that the disease is a hoax. I salute the people who are doing every bit to save our lives. They deserve applause and respect
LuckyL 4 years ago
What I really don't understand is, what do this covidiots think is the reason for this hoax. Why are so many countries willingly destroying their economy
Load More Replies... mph seti 4 years ago
These types of images should be all over the news media. Not yet more photos of trump looking stupid/angry/distant. There are people in the US (and around the world, to a lesser extent, I assume) who still think this is no big deal or even a hoax...
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago (edited)
I was watching some British news channel yesterday and holy shįt they get so much more information than we do in the USA. Like the news was breaking down all of the virus mutations in each county. Crazy. We haven’t heard a damn thing about community specific mutations in the US. Fûck even community specific, we haven’t heard much of anything about mutations at all! I hate the media in this country.
Load More Replies... oleihC LaSpain 4 years ago
ICU nurse from UK, I could relate to these pictures,trully heartbreaking. We became somebody's mom, dad, sis, bro whilst holding a dying patient's hand.
deanna woods 4 years ago
This illness is very serious and I wish that people would stop saying that it isn't. My father doesn't have to avoid going outside for the flu, but he has to do it for COVID19. At the restaurant I work at we have to take our temperature every day and some of the deliveries I take are contactless. We didn't have to do this with the flu. Please stop comparing this horrible virus to the flu. They are not even close to each other.
Louloubelle 4 years ago
Deanna woods, first I so agree with you, you're spot on. I just looked up statistics, and I don't understand what this guy is trying to get at. It looks like according to fullfact.org, about 25,000 people died from the flu in the UK in 2019. So far they've had roughly 65,000 die from covid. Unless this guy doesn't get math that is SIGNIFICANTLY higher. So clearly he's NOT taking the pandemic seriously.
Load More Replies... Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
I really wish this were much longer. It’s so deeply interesting and important. Rarely do I ever want a BP article to be longer, because they’re usually so so long.
Bill Warren 10 months ago
There i a hospital tha had n covid patiants, as soon as vaccines started in tthe people came, the vaccine is it cause.
Faith Nicole 3 years ago
My prayers go out to all those suffering from this disease weather recovering or just diagnosed. And a huge thank you go all the medical workers and prayers to you all as well. Mg boyfriends parents both got covid, his father is recovering & his mother unfortunately passed away from this terrible disease. Please keep you and your loved ones safe and wear a mask! It truly can save a life
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
This is what Covid is about. Not asymptomatic people walking around... these are the true victims of this virus, and the truly amazing people, who take care of them. This virus is not just a flu, it is a deadly virus to some, and others like the fly on Pences’ hair. Not all will die, but not all will recover beach to their version of normal. Our world has changed. Everywhere. There will be more things like this in the future, because of what goes on. Please stay home over the holidays! Or risk consigning your friends, family and strangers, to certain death, or a body ravaged by a virus that doesn’t care who you are, where you are, or what you do or how much money you have. Be safe, and save others.. Especially the healthcare and first responders who do the care for them... one day, they may be too tired to do their job.. who will do it then?
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
I went for a COVID-19 test at a walk in testing centre. You want to break hearts? Take a photo of a young mother holding a baby that is barely crying, coughing and fighting weakly against being swabbed for a test as the mother cries so much her face mask is dark from being soaked in her tears. Now add to that the volunteer trying their f**king hardest to be encouraging and keep looking professional and calm but when you look closely you can see the makeup that is covering the swollen red eyes of someone who has cried 3 times today, and it's only 10am! Then back to the mother holding her baby close to her not giving a single f**k if she gets infected by her baby as the tears really begin to flow. I was in there for 15 minutes and saw her being taken away in an ambulance and the volunteer hiding round the back crying her heart out. Hence me calling covidiots Baby Killers. Sorry, if there's any spelling mistakes but this was a month or 2 ago and it still reduces me to tears.
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
My heart goes out to anyone who is working flat out to help those with covid and it goes out to anyone who has, knows anyone who has or has had family either catch or die of covid.
Load More Replies... Julie C Rose 4 years ago
I want to go to the US, give a hard kick in the genitals to every politician who caused this situation and then just pay the $3,100 for managed isolation to get back into New Zealand. Our healthcare system is so underfunded that just flattening the curve would still have overloaded it - that’s the real reason why we went for elimination. And I know of countries with much fewer resources than us who were careful with covid so that their systems could handle it. Yet the US government allowed this to happen by being so horrible about the pandemic. F**k everyone who caused this utterly needless situation.
Maanya Chandra 4 years ago
OML. This made me cry my eyes out. These doctors and nurses are saving the world. Thanks to them! <3
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
He's in full gear, it's to help people realize it isn't a hoax. It's not meant as a slap in any face, except the Covid-deniers. Also, the hospital was keeping *you* safe. I know. It sucks. I've handled this since March/April except a break in summer when my brain fried out at my volunteer job. Translating Medical to Everyday, acting as an intermediary between patients and families, etc. I get it. BUT... the hospital I'm at? We have people like me ----- volunteers, in PPE ---- to stay with non_Covid patients so they are NOT alone. So they are NOT scared. It's why we burn out. We're in full PPE so we don't make anyone sicker. It's creepy-seeming, it's awful for everyone, but it's necessary right now. Please, know that nobody wanted it to be like this for you or your family. Peace.
Load More Replies...
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