Health workers face new stress during COVID-19 pandemic

PITTSBURGH — The stress and uncertainty that so many in the medical community have been coping with while saving lives now has a face.

New York emergency room physician Dr. Lorna Breen took her own life this past Sunday. She had contracted coronavirus, recovered and recently went back to work.

“Doctors are typically well trained to respond to traumatic events. This pandemic is a little bit different,” Jeffrey Freedman said.

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Freedman is a clinical neuropsychologist. He said while doctors are trained to deal with stressful situations, they’re now experiencing a new stress.

“Unlike just focusing on the exclusive concerns of a patient who might be subject or victim of some kind of agent, we are all potentially a victim of this COVID-19,” Freedman said.

According to the CDC, 9,000 health care workers have tested positive for COVID-19 and nearly 30 have died. Even when they’re not in the hospital, the dangers of contracting coronavirus are still creating stress for workers.

“No matter where we are, when we go shopping and when we return home, we are potential carriers for this. That increases distress,” Freedman said.

Pennsylvania Department of Health coronavirus update (4/28/20) Pennsylvania Department of Health coronavirus update (4/28/20)

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