Even for a nurse who has dealt with infectious diseases, COVID-19 is scary; National Nurses Week – PennLive

Lara Sowers has had experience dealing with highly infectious diseases even before the emergence of the coronavirus.

A nurse at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Sowers has been part of the special pathogens team since 2014. For the last several weeks, shes been working with coronavirus patients.

She described how COVID-19 is much different than the Ebola virus, an infectious disease that can be fatal.

Its a lot less viral than Ebola. Ebola is scary in that it moves so quickly. Luckily, COVID isnt on that level," Sowers said.

Whats scary about COVID-19 is its more insidious," she said. "People know when they have Ebola. Whats scary with this (COVID-19) is people dont know. They dont have symptoms.

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Penn State Health nurses

In the course of the coronavirus pandemic, she said some people have had surgery and were swabbed for a virus as a precaution and the tests have come back positive.

Weve had some really sick people and others feel rundown and dont feel like themselves, and get swabbed, and they come in and theyre positive, Sowers said.

Since COVID-19 is a novel virus, theres not volumes of research doctors and nurses can review to get a handle on it. So she appreciates that fact that the Hershey Medical Center is engaged in studies of the virus.

Its crazy in that sense," Sowers said. "Its neat to be at an institution thats creating the research too. Thats been pretty neat to see in action.

Very little is easy right now. Even donning - and removing - the protective gear is an arduous, time-consuming process.

In our normal operations, its rip it off and go, she said. Here, its step by step and making sure were doing it as safe as possible. Its a lot more intentional.

Sowers is a pediatric nurse so working in the coronavirus unit has given her the chance to work with adults. The medical center has seen a few pediatric patients with the virus but theyve been treated at Penn State Childrens Hospital.

For me, Ive been learning how to take care of a whole new population of patients Ive never cared for, she said. I give a lot of credit to the adult nurses who have taken me under their wings. Thats been definitely a huge challenge.

Sowers, who works the night shift, has bonded with the nurses in the coronavirus unit. The coronavirus team has nurses from various departments throughout the hospital.

Were experiencing some crazy things, she said. "We get so crazy. You look awful, you feel terrible, you kind of have to laugh with each other.

Its all hands on deck and its incredible to see everybody work together," she said. "It really is a family.

In the first weeks of the pandemic, Sowers said it was a non-stop adrenaline rush. Now, she said, "Were out of that intensity and into the longevity phase.

This is not going away, Sowers said. "Even as life gets to normal outside the hospital, its not normal in the COVID unit. This is going to be an ongoing fight for us.

Sowers said she understands the frustrations of those seeking a return to normalcy, particularly as so many have lost jobs. But she said it can be frustrating seeing people online who arent social distancing.

Its heartbreaking to see the reality of this disease and how it affects families. You have the heartbreaking stories of people who arent working," she said. I get it from both sides. I dont know the right answer."

This illness is so scary, she said. "I wouldnt want anyone to have to go through this.

Like some other nurses, Sowers has been avoiding contact with her family during the pandemic so she doesnt risk passing on the virus to her loved ones.

Theyre very much a part of my normal everyday life," she said. "Not having that has been challenging for sure.

On the plus side, shes heard from friends she hasnt heard from in years. And the medical center has had donations of food from area restaurants.

Little gestures from the community go a long way," she said.

Note: As part of National Nurses Week, PennLive is spotlighting nurses who are treating coronavirus patients. Look for more features in the coming days.

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Even for a nurse who has dealt with infectious diseases, COVID-19 is scary; National Nurses Week - PennLive