Wednesday, April 29, 2020

A moment of joy outside Mount Sinai Beth Israel



Text and photos by Daniel Efram

My apartment is across from one of the loading docks for the Mount Sinai Beth Israel complex on First Avenue.

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the sounds around here have been limited to sirens as well as nurses, doctors and health-care workers arriving for their shifts — not to mention the constant presence of hearses, which seem to come and go at all hours.

Yesterday, in one of my rare grocery outings, I heard a huge round of applause as I crossed First Avenue. Several dozen health-care workers had gathered outside of the hospital exit clapping and cheering as a patient who had successfully battled the virus was being released.



It was an unusually beautiful moment. It was tough to focus. I was crying.

Sharing was also deeply emotional. The first place I thought of posting my photos was with the Survivor Corps Facebook Group, which is dedicated to connecting and mobilizing survivors of COVID-19 as well as helping those who have lost loved ones. It's a very humbling place. I was pleased to share a moment of joy.

9 comments:

dwg said...

Heart warming and inspiring.

Anonymous said...

And yet some still insist that this crisis is no big deal.

Anonymous said...

Blessings on all the incredibly dedicated medical professionals who try to help & save each and every patient. It says even more about them to see how happy they are that this patient made it through and was discharged.

I'm so glad to see this man headed home, and hope he recovers fully. May there be many more triumphs like this.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this. Too many people are unaware of the extent of what is happening. I wish this man well. Kudos to all who helped him survive.

Lola Sáenz said...

It's one of those Beautiful stories with a good ending. Daniel Thanks so much for sharing, but the views from your apt sound pretty devastating and so sad, so sorry for that.
Thanks to all the Health care workers they are Amazing!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and moving story of these times! Thanks for sharing!!

Lycaondiskin said...

Dan thank you for the photos and the good word!

lasirenanyc said...

Beautiful story, happy to read and thanks for sharing !!

marjorie said...

Thank you so much for sharing this, Daniel. I'm teary!