Short Wave When The Military Fights A Pandemic At Home
Apr 17, 2020
Rebecca Hersher, NPR science reporter, examines the military's unexpected role in pandemic response. She recounts a pivotal night in Queens when military forces evacuated critically ill COVID-19 patients from overwhelmed hospitals. Hersher explores the challenges of adapting military training to civilian healthcare crises. Insights from the USNS Comfort's commanding officer reveal the unique challenges of providing care at sea. The resilience of military healthcare workers in chaotic settings highlights the importance of effective coordination in urgent patient care.
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Military Saves the Day
- Overwhelmed hospitals in Queens faced failing oxygen systems due to the surge in COVID-19 patients.
- The military, including the Army, Navy, and Marines, coordinated a patient evacuation.
Hospital Ship's Role
- The USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship, played a key role in the evacuation, accepting 10 critically ill patients.
- The ship's unique patient onboarding process, involving ramps, influenced the number of patients it could handle.
Sergeant Stanley's Experience
- Sergeant Lavinia Stanley, an Army respiratory therapist, shared her experience of being called to assist.
- Despite being a first-time experience in an ambulance and New York City, she worked alongside a nurse to prepare patients for transport.