When I was playing the role of medical receptionist on Thurs due to staff layoffs, a patient started crying while checking out from her appt because it's the first Easter she won't be w/her kids.
There were other people with urgent needs.
Phones ringing off the hook.

Running way behind schedule. EMR issues. Just pure chaos.
Before #COVID19, I would have been able to take her aside & create space for...well, pretty much just for being present and truly listening.
Last week, that was simply not possible...

I did the best I could, which was far from enough.
And because she is experiencing homelessness without a phone, all I can do is hope she is OK today.
Missing from the national consciousness and conversation is the depths to which COVID-19 has set back how we engage w/ people.

And perhaps more than ever before, the immeasurable value of meaningful human connection can be seen in the dark places where it is now forcibly scaled back, or even totally absent.

When my partner asks the customary "how was work today?" after each long day, I don't even have words. I just shake my head.
How do you even begin to explain what it's like to be out there putting flismy bandaids on gaping bullet wounds?
You can't.