COVID #2: The COVID toll in May

Working in the NHS, as we realise this virus is not going away any time soon, the road ahead feels daunting and long, hence the marathon analogy. There are also many NHS staff feeling the strain and not sharing with others how they are feeling, because we feel we ought to be able to cope and we should just be getting on with it. I wanted to highlight that it is taking it's toll in different ways, and it's okay for us to admit that. 

The COVID toll in May

As days turn to weeks and now months, 

With COVID infections worldwide,

Adrenaline fades to fatigue, 

We begin to slow down our stride.

We knew we were facing a marathon,

Perhaps without taking stock

Of the challenge of taking on 26 miles,

Having hitherto jogged round the block. 

Yet somehow we’re running this race, 

But are we at two miles or ten? 

We are tired and need to pace ourselves, 

But don’t have a clue until when. 

The ‘post-pandemic’ finishing line, 

Seems a distant, elusive ideal.

Our wealth of experience is not quite enough for

The physical and mental ordeal. 

Some of us struggling, juggling life,

Surviving but not quite okay,

“I’m fine thanks,” we say and continue our day

With a stiff upper lip on display.

But a common humanity binds us all, 

It’s a beautiful bond we possess;

We’re human, not robots, and we all feel the strain

As we live with this moral distress. 

It shows itself in various ways 

We are tired, emotional, scared; 

Frustrated at things we cannot control

Feeling anxious or underprepared. 

It’s okay to experience these feelings,

Tell your team - it may help them too. 

This marathon may be a very long way,

But together, we’re strong; we’ll get through.

Rachel McCoubrie 

May 2020