Novel Hospitalization: Grieving and Action in the Age of COVID

As this is written, hundreds of thousands of Americans and millions of people all over the world are grieving the loss of a loved one to the COVID-19 virus. Compounding their grief exponentially is the reality that the vast majority of them were not able be with their mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent, or other loved one as they fought the virus, or worse, lost their lives.

Due to the lethal effects of COVID and the unbelievable ease of its transmission to others, many, if not most hospitals all over the country and around the world prohibit people from being with their family members or friends, even in the final hours of their lives. The possibility that they might become infected with the virus is far too dangerous. But they are not alone in their agony. For those of us who have family members in hospitals, regardless of whether they are there because of the virus or another serious medical issue, and especially if our loved one is fighting for his or her life, the fear is overwhelming and the heartbreak is excruciating. It’s hard to imagine how not being able to see, hold, or talk to your loved one could be even worse—but it can.

In my worst nightmare, I cannot imagine the anguish of the family and close friends of George Floyd are having to cope with as the video of their loved one being slowly murdered is played over and over on network channels. It is devastating for many, or perhaps most of us, and surely it is difficult for anybody with even half a heart to see the video of Mr. Floyd’s death. When did we ever expect to see, over and over, a police officer using his knee to cut off a man’s oxygen by squeezing the last breath out of a man who lay on the concrete and gasped “I can’t breathe.” At least three other officers and several other people watched. It’s been reported that one woman offered repeatedly to check Mr. Floyd’s blood pressure but it was a seventeen year old girl who filmed the murder and made sure that her film got into the right hands.  

I am so proud that millions of people all over the world are marching in outrage of Mr. Floyd’s cruel and senseless death, in sympathy for his family, and in support of Black Lives Matter. In the US, and, no doubt in other countries as well, the clear call for far more oversight and regulation of rogue police officers and the police departments that enable them to act out their rage on people of color without suffering the consequences, gives me hope that we will finally do the right thing and ensure that disadvantaged people, especially those of color, have access to health care, healthy food, a quality education, decent paying jobs, and a future unencumbered by a rap sheet. 

P.S. As this is written, I’m deeply grateful that my son is no longer on the critical list but he has a very long way to go to recover from a stroke, followed by the corona virus. And, as we face the next few weeks or months, I have no idea when he’ll be discharged or when we’ll be able to be in the same room with him and so the heartache goes on, for him, for me, and for families all over the world.