A DESPERATE Covid nurse has posted an emotional appeal begging families not to get together for the holidays as hospitals reach “breaking point” across America.
Molly-Elizabeth Francis revealed she sobbed after a tough shift on a coronavirus ward which has seen a spike in admissions as bad as the first peak in March.
It came as doctors warned of a “natural disaster in all 50 states” as people ignored social distancing rules to meet up with loved ones for Thanksgiving.
Molly, originally from Dublin, Ireland, is a cardiac nurse who has been reassigned to treat critically ill Covid patients at St Peter’s Hospital in Albany, New York.
Last week she posted a selfie from the bathroom showing the red marks on her face after a grueling shift in PPE.
And she wrote on Facebook: “As I got to the unit, you could feel a shift in the energy that I have not felt for a few months now.
“I grabbed my PPE, found my assignment and without hesitation the charge nurse saw me and said your patient in room ** is dying. Just like that.
“These nurses see this every day and Covid has normalized this for some. I had such a pit in my stomach knowing that out of my five patients one could die with just me by their side that night.
“These patients are scared. As a nurse, there is no worse feeling than feeling hopeless when you have done all you can do and have your patient tell you all they want now is for it to be over so they can go home.
“After an extremely long night, I went to the bathroom and cried for the first time in my year of nursing.
“I cried because I know so many people that are no longer taking masking and social distancing seriously.
“I cried because this illness is affecting those of all age groups. I cried because Covid isn’t just getting worse, it already is worse.
“We are seeing a spike in cases now just as bad as we did in March.”
Molly also begged people to keep up social distancing even though they longed to see family at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
She wrote: “The people were applauding healthcare workers a few months ago and now I see those same people saying it’s okay to get together in groups for the holidays.
“I know it isn’t easy not seeing your family and loved ones especially this time of year, but I can assure you it won’t be any easier from a hospital room with very little other human contact.
“On behalf of healthcare workers, we can’t fight this alone. We need our communities to come together and put the greater good first.
“We are your nurses. We are fighting but we are tired. Please do your part and we will do ours.”
Her plea was shared more than 46,000 times and prompted a wave of support.
One user wrote: “People should be ashamed of themselves for not doing what is best for everyone. Thank you all you wonderful nurses and doctors.”
Another said: “All our health workers are wonderful and brave, even when breaking inside.
“By us NOT behaving badly, we protect them a little, and hopefully more of us survive.”
Yesterday the number of Covid patients in US hospitals hit a record high of 96,039, with admissions up in 41 states.
Hospitals in Rhode Island, Alabama and Montana were above capacity.
Officials in Rhode Island were scrambling to set up field hospitals to take extra patients but warned there might not be enough staff available to treat them all.
On Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told every hospital in the state to start recruiting retired doctors and nurses now before they become overwhelmed with coronavirus patients.
On Saturday the US passed four million new coronavirus infections for the month of November – more than most countries have had all year.
The mayor of El Paso, Texas, blamed “Covid fatigue”, and experts say the millions who ignored CDC guidance to travel for Thanksgiving will cause another spike.
National health chief Dr Anthony Fauci warned irresponsible Thanksgiving gatherings could lead to a “surge superimposed upon that surge that we’re already in”.
Emergency physician Dr Megan Ranney said the same would happen when millions are expected to travel to see family at Christmas.
She said: “Our health care system is literally at the breaking point right now, thanks to Covid-19.
“There’s no way that the hospitals can be fully prepared for what we’re currently facing.
“This is like a natural disaster occurring in all 50 states at the same time.
“There are not adequate beds. There are no adequate staff. And because of the lack of national preparation, there are still no adequate supplies.”
The US now has 13.5 million confirmed cases, and 268,000 deaths.
Anti-lockdown White House adviser Dr Scott Atlas quit yesterday, leading some to hope for a change in direction from the federal government.
