Just another number

Don't be sorry. What the news fails to tell us is how cold and impersonal death by Covid makes things. Under normal circumstances, death is hard enough. This just makes it worse.

You didn't let him down. The system did. 

Thanks for saying that, Hyatt, and for listening to me.  It's such a tough situation to be in.  I know he's gone, but in a way, I'm afraid that my mom and dad might be disappointed in us kids because it happened this way.  Mom didn't die alone; it's a crushing that Dad did.  I feel some better now that I've gotten that out there.  Most people fuss at me for being selfish when I bring it up.  Like I said, I know we're in a pandemic, but I feel like my dad is just another number.  

The same thing happened in my family.  We've been talking about getting everyone together when it's safe and having a celebration of life to commemorate our loved one's passing.  Maybe you could do something like that, Erica.  

Erica and Kareem, I'm so sorry that you were unable to celebrate your loved one and mourn for them with all the usual support that you'd have pre-pandemic.  

I'm sorry for your loss.

Covid did this to too many people. At least we now know how to better handle things. At first, no one really knew what they were doing and then started listening to politicians instead of medical professionals. That made things even worse. 

I think the administrators are the ones most likely to think of a recently deceased patient as a number. Most nurses and caregivers I've run across add a personal touch to the work they do. I understand about putting a blanket over the blame, but they're not all bad. 

I'm so sorry you had to go through that.