While some Americans are still flouting social distancing guidelines, doctors and nurses are taking dramatic steps to help prevent the spread of the virus as they work on the front lines.
Several have made the incredibly difficult decision to isolate themselves from their own families, in an effort to protect them from the virus they’re coming into contact with every day.
Some doctors — and their spouses — are sharing stories of moving into garages, basements, and AirBnbs, cutting themselves off from their husbands, wives, children, and even newborn babies for the foreseeable future.
Hard times: Doctors — and spouses of doctors — are opening up about isolating from families during the pandemic
Tough: Epidemiologist Rachel Patzer said her husband is staying in the garage for the foreseeable future — and won’t get to see his kids
So sad: He has a newborn he won’t get to see, and his wife is caring for the kids alone
Stop going out! While doctors are making such major sacrifices, she is urging others to stay at home
‘I’m a Dr. I’m about to separate from my family within my home for ?? months,’ a woman named Seema wrote on Twitter. So that I can keeping treating you, whilst trying to keep my family safe.
‘It hurts. No hugs from my girls, no cuddles from my partner. PLS socially distance NOW, to make my sacrifice worth it.
Jack Iwashyna from Ann Arbor, Michigan tweeted that he is living in his family’s basement to isolate himself.
Tatiana Prowell, MD, shared a picture of the closet that her husband, also a doctor, is sleeping in for at least the next month.
Stacy Smith from St. Louis said that her ER physician husband is ‘isolating in [a] trailer—away from our three boys and me, indefinitely, due to #coronavirus.’
Closed off: Other doctors are sharing their isolation stories during the pandemic
Safe: This one has moved into his basement to protect his family
Woof: One Twitter user said his brother hasn’t even been able to pet his dog
‘My spouse is a physician in the emergency dept, and is actively treating #coronavirus patients. We just made the difficult decision for him to isolate & move into our garage apartment for the foreseeable future as he continues to treat patients,’ tweeted epidemiologist Rachel Patzer.
‘We have a 3 wk old newborn and 2 young kids and just can’t risk it. It pains me to wonder how many weeks will go by that he won’t get to hold our new baby or see our older kids. This is one example of the sacrifice that healthcare workers are making for our communities,’ she went on.
‘As I attempt to home school my kids (alone) with a new baby who screams if she isn’t held, I am worried about the health of my spouse and my family. This was not how I envisioned my maternity leave, but I know things could be worse.
‘It is difficult to see pictures of all the people at bars and restaurants, socializing, making play dates, and ignoring social distancing recommendations when I know my husband and many other healthcare workers are risking their lives to treat more sick patients.
All alone: An ER doctor is isolating in his trailer and doesn’t get to see his kids
Don’t be selfish! While people share these stories, they’re using it as a reminder that others should stay home
Comfort: These doctors are already facing incredible amounts of stress
‘Please, take this #pandemic seriously. I hope the projections of infections and serious cases are incorrect. If not, our healthcare system will be overloaded. And already we are seeing the strain. Please thank a healthcare worker for what they are doing and sacrificing.’
Stories like these are certainly striking a chord on social media. On March 17, former President Obama even chimed in to praise to Rachel Patzer and her husband.
‘We owe a profound debt of gratitude to all our health professionals and everybody who’ll be on the front lines of this pandemic for a long while,’ he tweeted.
‘They’re giving everything. May we all model our own behavior on their selflessness and sacrifice as we help each other through this.’
New digs: Another doctor appears to be sleeping in an office for the time being
Isolation: Doctors and nurses alike have been spreading the message to stay home
Other doctors have shared their stories with the New York Times, with several discussing staying at Airbnbs and turning them into ‘dirty doc’ living areas — where doctors who have been exposed to the virus can stay together and keep their families safe back at home.
One doctor said that while he works in the hospital and stays at home, his wife has moved away to their vacation home.
The stories are not just meant to share the particular struggles that these families are going through, but to encourage others to do their part and social distance for the foreseeable future.
Several doctors and nurses have also shared photos and video of themselves holding up signs urging people to stay home.