I don’t think I’ve ever worked for such a compassionate company. I don’t think I’ve ever worked for such a responsible company. And I don’t think I’ve ever loved any job more than I love my job right now.
I have such a sense of purpose — I actually look forward to going to work every single day. Even though I’m fucking exhausted. And even though I’m fucking terrified.
Obviously, these are very stressful times. #COVID-19
I’ve had a panic attack – or two – at work – and literally needed to take Xanax and get outside for some fresh air — just to feel the grass under my feet and learn breathing techniques.
And apparently, so have other coworkers.
Recently, management decided to create a “decompression room” set up on the first floor — just for the staff — to get away from the chaos and a place for us to calm down and cool off.
It’s fully stocked with yummy snacks, bottled waters, TV, Alexa, AIR CONDITIONING, and all good things.
Also?
They’re feeding us free food every day … which is very nice. They even said, “If you’re having trouble getting toilet paper or food for your home … please come to management and we will make sure that is taken care of.”
The company I work for is super fabulous. And everybody at my facility acts like a family. And everyone is really working together totally team style — from a safe distance.
Which is why I absolutely – love, love, love, love, my job.
However ….
The residents are losing it!
They’re crying hysterical.
They miss their families.
They haven’t had interaction with anyone other than dining or housekeeping staff.
They are locked in their rooms under quarantine and all they can do is watch the news 24 hours a day.
Why?
Because …
The second floor may have the stomach virus AGAIN (they had it the first week in February) & now several rooms are in bad shape.
We can’t tell if it’s from something they ate or the Norovirus virus – yet.
We have people on isolation. And we have people on quarantine. There’s a difference between isolation and quarantine. (More on that in another blog post.)
And two residents passed away.
(Of natural causes — Thank God — one was 94 and one was 92.)
Nevertheless, I am still very sad. I’ve come to know these people for the last nine months, on a daily basis.
[SIDE BAR: I didn’t know that nursing homes / assisted living facilities do this… And I don’t know if ALL nursing homes / assisted living facility do this. But where I work … When a resident passes away, we have to hide it from the other residents… Because they’re friends with each other and it gets them upset. We either tell everyone to go to their rooms, or if they’re in the main activity room we close the doors so they can’t see us. Then … all of the staff comes to the main floor and we stand in a line — shoulder to shoulder — while they wheel out the body. Everyone says a prayer & we take a moment in silence to respect that person’s life. As sad, and as heartbreaking as it is – it’s also pretty powerful.]
Last week — we lost two residents. One at 9 o’clock in the morning. And one in the afternoon. Horrifying day to say the least.
But…
What’s so fucked up and what’s bothering me the most?
These people can’t even have funerals or be laid to rest properly right now.
Who knows what’s going to happen to them since our morgues are being overflowed by people dying from the coronavirus.
When I watched 15 minutes of the news — big mistake — I saw New York City is buying refrigerated trucks to store the bodies. I cannot even imagine what it’s like to be a family member knowing that my loved one is being stored on a refrigerated truck in a parking lot.
Let’s just take a minute to process THAT.
Also… I feel soooooo bad for the residents!
Half of my day is trying to calm them down and mentally stabilize them.
Which apparently transferred all of their angriness an upsetness and anxiety on to me.
Thank God for the new “decompression” room! I have taken full advantage of that whenever needed.
I have also taken full advantage of the free toilet paper and free food.
- This girl got to eat and this girl got to shit.
As happy as I am — to get up and go to work every day and to see people and socialize…
As happy as I am — to spend time with the residents and bend-over-backwards to do anything to make them happy…
As happy as I am — to be lucky enough to work for such a wonderful corporation….
As happy as I am — to have access to free food and toilet paper…
As happy as I am — to work in an industry on the front lines …
I’m also freaked the fuck out.
However …
Since I’ve decided to dedicate the rest of my life to working in the medical field – see/read HERE – this is something I’m going have to get used to. Although this is an extreme way to dip your toe in the water!!
Stay Tuned.
Love,
M
PS: My school got delayed for one week… due to the coronavirus and figuring out how to online teach … So wish me luck this Tuesday! It’ll be my first day online schooling — studying to become a Medical Assistant!
