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| ‘When Am I Coming Home?’: A Tough Month Inside a Virus Recovery Unit | ‘When Am I Coming Home?’: A Tough Month Inside a Virus Recovery Unit |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Charlie Blueweiss, 33, woke up believing he was in a secret infirmary in an airport somewhere, maybe in China. He was certain someone was stalking him; threatening messages seemed to keep appearing on screens around him. | Charlie Blueweiss, 33, woke up believing he was in a secret infirmary in an airport somewhere, maybe in China. He was certain someone was stalking him; threatening messages seemed to keep appearing on screens around him. |
| As his confusion — which is common among Covid-19 patients who have spent a long stint on a mechanical ventilator — dissipated in the coming days, Mr. Blueweiss began to take stock of his situation. He realized that he was in the intensive care unit at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan, and that those screens were displaying his vital signs and medical updates. | As his confusion — which is common among Covid-19 patients who have spent a long stint on a mechanical ventilator — dissipated in the coming days, Mr. Blueweiss began to take stock of his situation. He realized that he was in the intensive care unit at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan, and that those screens were displaying his vital signs and medical updates. |
| The 15 days on the ventilator left a deep sore on one cheek, and he struggled to unclench his right hand. His right foot burned with pain and he was too weak to sit up. He could not unlock his phone to call his wife because his hands were so swollen. When he finally reached her, he asked, “When am I coming home?” | The 15 days on the ventilator left a deep sore on one cheek, and he struggled to unclench his right hand. His right foot burned with pain and he was too weak to sit up. He could not unlock his phone to call his wife because his hands were so swollen. When he finally reached her, he asked, “When am I coming home?” |
| Home, in Queens, would have to wait. On April 28, Mr. Blueweiss was taken in a gurney to 11 North, a former inpatient psychiatric ward at Weill Cornell that had been turned into a Covid-19 recovery ward. | Home, in Queens, would have to wait. On April 28, Mr. Blueweiss was taken in a gurney to 11 North, a former inpatient psychiatric ward at Weill Cornell that had been turned into a Covid-19 recovery ward. |
| With the peak of the coronavirus crisis in New York City in the past, hospitals and their medical staff are no longer straining under the number of critically ill patients — once so numerous that ventilators, dialysis machines and even sedatives ran dangerously low. | With the peak of the coronavirus crisis in New York City in the past, hospitals and their medical staff are no longer straining under the number of critically ill patients — once so numerous that ventilators, dialysis machines and even sedatives ran dangerously low. |
| The front lines of the virus fight have shifted from intensive care units to recovery areas like 11 North, and similar units at other hospitals, like Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. Here, doctors are finding that for the most severe cases, recovery can be a long and arduous process. | The front lines of the virus fight have shifted from intensive care units to recovery areas like 11 North, and similar units at other hospitals, like Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. Here, doctors are finding that for the most severe cases, recovery can be a long and arduous process. |
| Patients who survive lengthy I.C.U. stays during ordinary times — after heart surgery, car accidents, shootings, sepsis or respiratory failure — often face lengthy recoveries. Some patients report cognitive deficits, including difficulty concentrating. Many struggle to return to their jobs. About one-third have anxiety, depression or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, said Dr. Lindsay Lief, a pulmonologist at Weill Cornell who works with post-I.C.U. patients. | Patients who survive lengthy I.C.U. stays during ordinary times — after heart surgery, car accidents, shootings, sepsis or respiratory failure — often face lengthy recoveries. Some patients report cognitive deficits, including difficulty concentrating. Many struggle to return to their jobs. About one-third have anxiety, depression or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, said Dr. Lindsay Lief, a pulmonologist at Weill Cornell who works with post-I.C.U. patients. |
| “In the Covid era, I think this will be magnified,” Dr. Lief said. | “In the Covid era, I think this will be magnified,” Dr. Lief said. |
| She noted that the typical Covid-19 patient in an intensive care unit was generally there for an unusually long time — one study suggested at least two weeks. That means more muscle loss and increased risk of other problems as well. | She noted that the typical Covid-19 patient in an intensive care unit was generally there for an unusually long time — one study suggested at least two weeks. That means more muscle loss and increased risk of other problems as well. |
| Even those whose lungs are mostly healed may be quite debilitated after long immobilization in an intensive care unit, where they are administered high dosages of sedatives and sometimes paralytics. Some must relearn to swallow without choking. Others have crippling nerve pain. Others have cognitive deficits, including trouble with words. | Even those whose lungs are mostly healed may be quite debilitated after long immobilization in an intensive care unit, where they are administered high dosages of sedatives and sometimes paralytics. Some must relearn to swallow without choking. Others have crippling nerve pain. Others have cognitive deficits, including trouble with words. |
| Others are traumatized and just not ready to be on their own. “A lot of people told me they felt lost,” Dr. Alka Gupta, the unit director of 11 North, said. “Many were having nightmares each night and were scared to be alone.” | Others are traumatized and just not ready to be on their own. “A lot of people told me they felt lost,” Dr. Alka Gupta, the unit director of 11 North, said. “Many were having nightmares each night and were scared to be alone.” |
| One young woman in an intensive care unit was unable to remember her name for more than a day. A middle-age immigrant opened his eyes and was convinced that a civil war had broken out back in his home country. | One young woman in an intensive care unit was unable to remember her name for more than a day. A middle-age immigrant opened his eyes and was convinced that a civil war had broken out back in his home country. |
| Some patients shared that they were afraid to sleep, anxious that they would wake up on a ventilator. Dr. Gupta recalled a patient at 11 North who no longer needed supplemental oxygen, but 10 minutes after the oxygen flow was turned off, she pleaded for it to be restored. She feared her lungs would fail again. | Some patients shared that they were afraid to sleep, anxious that they would wake up on a ventilator. Dr. Gupta recalled a patient at 11 North who no longer needed supplemental oxygen, but 10 minutes after the oxygen flow was turned off, she pleaded for it to be restored. She feared her lungs would fail again. |
| But to the doctors, these patients are the lucky ones. By mid-May, more than 220 patients died of the virus at Weill Cornell alone. Doctors demoralized by death during the pandemic go to 11 North to visit their patients who survived. These are pilgrimages of sorts — the recovery unit is the most hopeful place in the hospital. | But to the doctors, these patients are the lucky ones. By mid-May, more than 220 patients died of the virus at Weill Cornell alone. Doctors demoralized by death during the pandemic go to 11 North to visit their patients who survived. These are pilgrimages of sorts — the recovery unit is the most hopeful place in the hospital. |
| “I think it really does feel like a beacon within the hospital,” said Dr. Laura Kolbe, who treated hospitalized Covid-19 patients at the height of the outbreak and now works at 11 North. | “I think it really does feel like a beacon within the hospital,” said Dr. Laura Kolbe, who treated hospitalized Covid-19 patients at the height of the outbreak and now works at 11 North. |
| The unit’s floor overlooks the East River, Roosevelt Island and the smokestacks of a power plant in Queens. These days, about 30 patients live there. More than 60 have been discharged. | The unit’s floor overlooks the East River, Roosevelt Island and the smokestacks of a power plant in Queens. These days, about 30 patients live there. More than 60 have been discharged. |
| The sounds are distinctive: some of the loudest coughing you’ve ever heard; the shuffle of footsteps as patients push walkers down the hallway and relearn to walk; and the words of encouragement from Matt Descovich, a physical therapist, urging patients to move another 10 feet, reminding them that they are on a road that leads home. | The sounds are distinctive: some of the loudest coughing you’ve ever heard; the shuffle of footsteps as patients push walkers down the hallway and relearn to walk; and the words of encouragement from Matt Descovich, a physical therapist, urging patients to move another 10 feet, reminding them that they are on a road that leads home. |
| But home can be a long way off. Mr. Blueweiss figured his stay in the unit would last a week. But in an interview in May, on his 12th day in the unit, he had stopped venturing a guess. “There are certain things that will take time,” said Mr. Blueweiss, who trained as an opera singer and now works for a financial tech company. | But home can be a long way off. Mr. Blueweiss figured his stay in the unit would last a week. But in an interview in May, on his 12th day in the unit, he had stopped venturing a guess. “There are certain things that will take time,” said Mr. Blueweiss, who trained as an opera singer and now works for a financial tech company. |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| A bedsore and nerve pain kept him up at night. He watched television and napped during the day. | A bedsore and nerve pain kept him up at night. He watched television and napped during the day. |
| The highlight of his days was 90 minutes of physical therapy, when he began to relearn to walk. He had little sensation in his right foot, which undermined his balance and coordination. With each step, his foot pointed downward, threatening to trip him. | The highlight of his days was 90 minutes of physical therapy, when he began to relearn to walk. He had little sensation in his right foot, which undermined his balance and coordination. With each step, his foot pointed downward, threatening to trip him. |
| One day, he could walk just six feet or so with his walker before needing a rest. Soon it was 50 feet. Then 75 feet. He walked up and down the hallway of 11 North, past the rooms of the other patients, most much older than him. He had little interest in them or desire to socialize. He was not alone in avoiding the group therapy sessions. | One day, he could walk just six feet or so with his walker before needing a rest. Soon it was 50 feet. Then 75 feet. He walked up and down the hallway of 11 North, past the rooms of the other patients, most much older than him. He had little interest in them or desire to socialize. He was not alone in avoiding the group therapy sessions. |
| This was common, it turned out, to the disappointment of doctors. “I think people are kind of reintegrating a little cautiously,” Dr. Gupta said. “I was a little surprised by that.” | This was common, it turned out, to the disappointment of doctors. “I think people are kind of reintegrating a little cautiously,” Dr. Gupta said. “I was a little surprised by that.” |
| Even among hospital roommates, few relationships have formed. In one room, a man from Turkey with weak and uncoordinated hands kept dropping his phone. His roommate, a nurse from the Philippines who was further along with his recovery, would slowly get out of bed and bend down to retrieve it. Then each went back to talking with his own family on their own devices. | Even among hospital roommates, few relationships have formed. In one room, a man from Turkey with weak and uncoordinated hands kept dropping his phone. His roommate, a nurse from the Philippines who was further along with his recovery, would slowly get out of bed and bend down to retrieve it. Then each went back to talking with his own family on their own devices. |
| There was so much to say. Most patients had not seen their families since they had been admitted three or four weeks earlier. | There was so much to say. Most patients had not seen their families since they had been admitted three or four weeks earlier. |
| Usually updates flow out of the hospital, from the patient to the family. Now it happens in reverse. Many patients have little idea of what happened to them while hospitalized. | Usually updates flow out of the hospital, from the patient to the family. Now it happens in reverse. Many patients have little idea of what happened to them while hospitalized. |
| Mr. Blueweiss’s wife, Hannah Cates, had been keeping meticulous notes. She filled him in. | Mr. Blueweiss’s wife, Hannah Cates, had been keeping meticulous notes. She filled him in. |
| Thirty-five days into his hospitalization, Ms. Cates was allowed to visit her husband. Visitors were generally barred, but an exception was made. Ms. Cates needed to learn how to tend to her husband’s bedsore, which involved cutting sheets of calcium alginate — a dressing derived from algae — into small spirals and packing them deep into the wound. When she walked into the hospital room, she was wearing a face mask. Her husband mistook her for a nurse. | Thirty-five days into his hospitalization, Ms. Cates was allowed to visit her husband. Visitors were generally barred, but an exception was made. Ms. Cates needed to learn how to tend to her husband’s bedsore, which involved cutting sheets of calcium alginate — a dressing derived from algae — into small spirals and packing them deep into the wound. When she walked into the hospital room, she was wearing a face mask. Her husband mistook her for a nurse. |
| “It’s me,” Ms. Cates recalled saying. “I’m your wife. I’m here.” | “It’s me,” Ms. Cates recalled saying. “I’m your wife. I’m here.” |
| She stayed for 11 hours. She learned to care for his bedsore, clipped his nails and filled him in on their two cats. They sat together quietly. They spoke of what he would need when he came home — a cane, a walker, a wheelchair for longer distances, a visiting nurse and a visiting physical therapist. Just being able to talk it through with her right there made him feel more like himself than he had in a very long time. “I felt, you know, a little more normal,” he said. | She stayed for 11 hours. She learned to care for his bedsore, clipped his nails and filled him in on their two cats. They sat together quietly. They spoke of what he would need when he came home — a cane, a walker, a wheelchair for longer distances, a visiting nurse and a visiting physical therapist. Just being able to talk it through with her right there made him feel more like himself than he had in a very long time. “I felt, you know, a little more normal,” he said. |
| In late May, Mr. Blueweiss had a six-hour surgery on his right arm to try to repair the nerve damage. | In late May, Mr. Blueweiss had a six-hour surgery on his right arm to try to repair the nerve damage. |
| On May 29, Ms. Cates returned to the hospital to pick up her husband. Doctors and nurses lined the hallway to cheer and clap as he was wheeled out. | On May 29, Ms. Cates returned to the hospital to pick up her husband. Doctors and nurses lined the hallway to cheer and clap as he was wheeled out. |
| From his room, he had heard this ritual play out a couple of times a week. He usually had no idea which patient was leaving. So, lying in his bed, he would imagine it was him. Now it actually was. | From his room, he had heard this ritual play out a couple of times a week. He usually had no idea which patient was leaving. So, lying in his bed, he would imagine it was him. Now it actually was. |