The Trenches: COVID -19

Worldwide we are all in the same season, experiencing this pandemic (COVID-19).

Who would have thought it? Better off who would have ever thought being in LOCKDOWN? Like CORONAAAVIRUS really? it really is like some type of movie.

I tell you the truth, every NHS worker has felt like a soldier at war literally even to the physical gear (PPE). You have different stations with different groups of people helping you gear up to get you dressed & undressed (donning & doffing) with your mask, your gowns, your visors & your new shoes (crocs) ONLY for battle. You have 2 labels – one on your head & your back it has your ‘name’& ‘role’(nurse) – that’s the only way to identify who is who in there.

I certainly wouldn’t have thought I would be a part of history front lining & fighting this deadly virus. One day I’ll tell my kids I fought in WORLD WAR 3.

In that heat, You must double glove because your bottom glove becomes your new hand you NEVER ever take off that glove whilst you’re in there . You have that amour, that gear on for the next 12hrs you are hot, THRISTY, bothered, itchy, scared, a little confused yet still hopeful… hopeful that God will bring this tragedy to an end.

Before all of that Every morning I put my FIRST layer of amour/ gear for battle – my spiritual amour before I enter the battle field.

I put on the FULL armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, I am able to stand your ground in the battle field. I stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around my waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. I take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one i.e fear, doubt anxiety. I then Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Throughout the battle I remain praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request. With this in mind, I remain alert and always keep on praying for myself & those around me (nurses, doctors, patients etc) as we are all the Lord’s people.

On your way out you have another person helping you take your gear off (Doffing).. one by one as each part of your gear comes off you slowly feel a sense of relief. When you can finally feel your hands or take of your mask , you remember what it feels like to be ‘normal’ again. But every time it’s time to re-gear a rush of emotions anxiety & panic suffocates you , tears suddenly accumulate in your eyes with the thought ‘God I don’t want this to be me , my friends, especially not my family on this ventilation machine”.

Imagine suddenly doing a job you loved but now a job you fear & in your fear find the courage to fight & give care ?

We all play our parts as one body tirelessly to see some recover and sadly some pass away. These people I’ve seen in the mid 40s-60s (predominantly), some with their family pictures all by the walls, behind the ventilators , hiding behind the very thing that is keeping them ALIVE.

Without all the sympathy I conclude my role is in the ‘trenches’ . Right at the frontline in the parapet protecting and saving this nation. I think we could all do with a little more appreciation. If you see the fear in every nurses eyes, the amount of times a nurse stops and cries. Effortlessly working to prevent the increase & risking our lives to save YOUR lives.

RIP all that died from COVID-19

RIP all the KEY-WORKERS who died at the frontline or took their own life as a result, we remember you in our hearts🤍

Yours Sincerly,

A Nurse in The Trenches x

Daily affirmation: God will be my refuge & strength. The only way to fight this is through my prayer in faith & love. God will go before me as he has called me for this work, I stand in the confidence of the blood of the lamb & through Jesus i am protected & healed. For when I am weak I AM STRONG.