I was just discharged from the hospital after a non-COVID-19-related emergency (appendix removed), but the gravity of how bad this virus is ravaging NYC is terrifying. I’m safe but I saw and heard a lot during stay at the hospital as people around me died of COVID-19.

I’ll be writing about my experience @TheRoot after I return to work after a week but things in New York City are worse than you’ve heard.

Having a non-related COVID-19 emergency was an eye opener into how stressed our healthcare system is.

I wish I could write about my experience sooner, but I need to rest up. It’s terrifying, though. Doctors and nurses in tears, while floors being converted to covid-19 wards. I and another man were the *only* non-covid 19 people on my floor.

A man died near me and I passed a dead person in a body bag on my way out hospital. PLEASE take this seriously. My hospital was so full, they kept me in pediatrics until they moved me to an overnight room. They aren’t testing for covid-19 unless you are literally dying. It’s bad.

Much more to share (including how the staff wanted out the hospital ASAP to minimize COVID-19 exposure—even after my own medical emergency), but it’s rest time now. I survived and will soon tell you how you can navigate a health scare during a pandemic.

Thanks for well-wishes!

I’ll end with this: we need a much better healthcare system free of business influence and universal healthcare for all. If my health scare taught me anything, it’s that much.