NYC hospitals prepare for potential 2nd coronavirus wave with lessons from pandemic's start

As medical experts warn of a second wave of COVID-19, hospitals have been preparing for the potential influx in patients.

News 12 Staff

Nov 21, 2020, 2:41 AM

Updated 1,424 days ago

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As medical experts warn of a second wave of COVID-19, hospitals have been preparing for the potential influx in patients.
The staff at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi has been preparing for months, stocking up on PPE supplies and hosting extensive training sessions with doctors and nurses.
News 12 saw doctors suiting up before seeing patients diagnosed with COVID-19, wearing extra layers of protective equipment. Workstations also look different from a few months ago -- all lined with large plexiglass windows. Large machines are set up in the hallways to make sure each room is properly ventilated. Staff members who spoke with News 12 said that if cases do spike and hospitalizations increase, they're ready.
Nurses at the hospital underwent specialized training sessions concentrating in cardio, respiratory care and trauma, ready to step in at a moment's notice to treat patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
One thing some hospital staff members believe is hitting patients hardest nowadays is "COVID fatigue."
While the public waits for a COVID vaccine to be FDA-approved and available, medical experts say to try and prevent the spread by wearing a mask, and to wash or dispose of your mask after one day's use to ensure it's as sanitary as possible.