To make sense of COVID, look at TB

I felt fear for the first time during this pandemic. I was speaking to a man who was on maximum oxygen, one step away from being on a ventilator. I told him that if he went on a ventilator, he would likely be on it for weeks, with an uncertain outcome. Did he want a ventilator if it came to that? He seemed visibly anxious. I held his hand and felt his fear. At that time, I should have acknowledged it. I should have reassured him by saying that caring for critically ill patients was our specialty. That he was receiving the best care anyone could receive. But I didn’t. I remained frozen at that moment because I was scared. What would I do if I were in his situation? How terrifying would it be to be in an ugly ICU room by myself?