The world changed in early spring,
With a deadly new virus, a terrible thing.
To do my job I now must wield
Gloves and gown and mask and shield.

My first patient is not amused,
The lovely Addie is a bit confused.
I tell her I must wear this in case I cough,
But Addie immediately snatches it off.

Any germs that may lurk on mask or bands
Are now being clutched in both her hands.
I pry them loose, a little squashed
And proceed to get Addie up and washed.

She must stay in her room, she doesn't know why
She's scared and confused and starts to cry.
It hurts me to have to leave her this way,
But she's only my first of the day.

My next fellow can't get out of bed,
Needs the pan and a sponge and must be fed.
His family's been here through thick and thin,
Now he must be told they can't come in.

Like many here, he rarely understands
And stuff hits the fan where the bedpan lands.
The day continues with more of the same,
With patients upset and thinking I am to blame.

At the end of the week I need a day off,
But my co-worker is at home with a terrible cough.
Daycares are closed and so are the schools,
So our staff stays at home following the rules.

I come in to work many days more,
Though I'm dead tired and my feet are so sore.
Addie is sick and may not survive,
And I wonder if any of us will come out alive.

Weeks have passed and so many have died,
I just want to go home to my bed and hide.
My head is simply going to explode,
I cannot manage this heavy load.

I'll work five days a week and nothing more,
Or you'll be scraping me up off the floor.
Some people aren't happy with how it must be,
But now it is time to take care of me.