Natalie David was the winner of our Essential Worker Giveaway for the month of July and kindly agreed to answer some questions about her life during Covid 19.

Can you tell us a little about the work you have been doing during the pandemic?

I’ve been a nurse for 15 years and I’ve been working with babies for over 10 years. It’s been challenging trying to help people feel comfortable giving birth during a pandemic. They are only allowed 1 support person and everyone is wearing masks and face shields. I had my daughter 2 years ago and could NOT imagine what these new parents are going through despite these current circumstances.

 How has it been different from the work you were doing before?

I do the same work prior to the pandemic just with added challenges. I’m the nurse that helps you with your newborn once you’ve given birth. Once you’re all ‘geared up’ for a delivery, you feel the birthing process is so impersonal due to all your personal protective equipment. Your patients can’t even see your face and you can’t see theirs. They are worried about their newborns and feeling very uneasy about being in the hospital.

 What has been the hardest thing for you and family during this time?

The most difficult thing for me is actually being an essential worker. The first time breaching the hospital doors when the covid numbers were increasing was extremely hard. I fear every shift of not being careful enough and possibly bringing something home to my family. It took my husband and I five years of infertility treatments and multiple miscarriages to then be surprised with a spontaneous pregnancy with our daughter. We had her in 2018 and when the pandemic broke I couldn’t imagine if I had been the person to cause her or my husband an illness, let alone, a possible fatal illness. It’s still challenging every single shift.

 Has there been anything positive that has come out of this experience for you?

One positive thing that has come out of this is knowing your fellow co-workers, whether they be other RN’s, respiratory therapists, physicians, or housekeeping, have your back. Some people quit due to fear but the majority have remained to care for our vulnerable patients. I was nominated for this by a patient I took care of a year ago. It means the world to me that she thought of me for this nomination. Another positive.