Today is Tammy’s 5th day in New York and her 2nd day working. She finally received her assignment yesterday for Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx.

Marriot Marquis on Times Square

After arriving Sunday and checking into the Marriot on Time square, Tammy and Brittney took an Uber to Target to get some grocery’s. Time to prepare for their next several weeks. They have no frig or microwave in their rooms, but their is one on one of the floors. They are able to use laundry service which is a plus. The hotel charges $5 a load. Pretty good price. I asked about the availability to buy bottled water, and they say they are filling their water bottles with sink water. Yuck. No I don’t think I could do that. After resting they went out to the street to find fast food and coffee. They took some interesting pictures.

This is Brittney. The streets are so empty. Hardly anyone in sight. So Erie….You can only imagine the traffic on a normal day.

All the Marquis have so many Wonderful Inspiring Messages of Gratitude. They said all the people they meet are so grateful for them being their to help.

Both the girls looking for McDonalds and checking out their strange new world. Neither on has been in New York before. Monday morning they checked in at 5:45am for their briefing. This is where they will get their assignment. They didn’t get one, but they have to stay in their scrubs all day and be ready for a call at any time. They are able to go back to their rooms to rest. Many more people came in again during the day and overnite. She Estimated near 1000. This happened again on Tuesday, and Wed. Thursday morning they went down and immediately received their assignment. I’m so glad they are going together. They can lean on one another.

They immediately went and boarded their busses. Fortunately all transportation is provided also. Their assignment was the Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx.

In the pictures, it doesn’t look that old, but Tammy said it is. Lincoln Hospital in Normal times is a full service Medical Center and Teaching Hospital. It is owned by NYC Health and Hospitals. It is a Level 1 Trauma Center with 362 beds. It was founded in 1839. Tammy started a group text site for all the family so we were all waiting and wished her all the good blessings and stay safe messages……...Yesterday was a day of wondering..….I’m sure we are all doing that now again today. I wondered what she was doing. Our biggest question was, would they supply her with all the PPE she needed to be safe. How bad was this hospital. Seeing all the news reports on TV from New York City Hospitals is very scary...….Finally that evening she came on messenger. She had gotten back to the room earlier and immediately took a shower. She was exhausted. It was a tough day. the hospital has turned from a full service hospital to a total ICU Covid-19 hospital. She said it was crazy. She had to be back on the bus at 6am this morning for their next day. Tina asked about PPE. Did they supply everything? This is what Tammy Said….They came with their scrubs, then put on paper scrubs, then put a full length paper robe on. Now a N95, and a surgical mask over that, then a surgical cap. Then goggles, like seriously big and tight. They wear that the entire shift, which is over 12 hours. I can’t even imagine being dressed like that all day. They asked for Safety Glasses. Rich is going to Lowes today to pick some up. I have a care package ready to mail this afternoon….Priority Mail…They will go in as well as headbands and scarfs for their hair. No Bandana’s to be found. Chapstick, snacks, Kool-Aid packets for their water, and cheap drawstring bags for their lunches and snacks they bring. This morning they asked for a box of sandwich bags for their phones at work. This afternoon I will mail it and hope she gets it very soon. So this will be our life the next several weeks. Waiting for her message at nite to say she is back in her room.

Here in Harlingen it is heating up. Cameron County is up to 147. Harlingen itself has 47 of those. They are mostly contributed to 2 Nursing Home Facility’s. We have the Shelter In Place extended to April 21. Curfew Midnight to 5. No children in the stores. If they are out in public or in a car, it must be with a parent and have a good reason. We must all wear face masks in public. I went to Walmart yesterday to do Tammy’s shopping and I will say, many people still are not wearing them. Walmart has supplied their employees and even some of them were not wearing them. Our ladies in our park are making them for the people who need them. They are also giving the girls more masks that I will put in the box today…..”Thank You Eastgate Ladies”…..

They are doing a great job taking care of all of us. This is Rich’s. He wanted a tie, I ordered elastic. They have a pipe cleaner in the nose so you can form it.

So now we just go on. Tammy, Brittney, and all the Healthcare workers are giving themselves to help others. We all pray they will be safe through all this. I know the girls appreciate and are amazed at all the well wishes on FB. They read them all and it helps them to do the task they are there for. Many of you they don’t know, but EACH and EVEYONE means so much to them. You all give them Strength.

Thank You from all our Hearts for all your caring and prayers……

My Favorite Picture…..You can see the New Years Eve Ball on top of the building