Critical care units and intensivists. Probes and inotropes intubation, ventilation stents and tiny balloons. A little wedge pressure a little wedge driven between doctor and patient.
Separation, isolation “isolette" is no better when a child faces it. Barrier nursing: a cruel oxymoron. They need the most and the gentlest touch These isolated ones in the sterile rooms.
Mothers stand by, speechless Fathers pray, silently. Partners wait for life. These are our other patients. Magic bullets intravenous cocktails to render senseless have not paralysed them.
Time to get back to the bedside. To touch the patient to touch the family. The latex hands and masked faces the curious cloaks and stethoscope necklaces must become more tender.
The others need support, too for visitation not isolation in the ICU.