A Respiratory Therapist Explains the Effects COVID-19 Has on the Lungs and Heart.

Benjamin Wilner is a respiratory therapist at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Respiratory therapists have been some of the unsung heroes during the #covid19 pandemic - they care for every single patient that has trouble breathing - which is an unfortunate symptom most COVID patients exhibit. Ben shares what he's been seeing and experiencing at his hospital.

[sophieoshaughnessy]

Yes. Finally an RT. All we ever hear about is doctors and nurses. The respiratory and rehab people rock. So important and underacknowleged.

[dlainebaxley]

As an RN, I am flabbergasted how the R.T.'s take on this virus is so underdocumented!. Tks for the vid.

[cynthia]

I just heard from a friend today in Montana. She lost her grandfather to Covid. As she mourns his passing, she encounters people every day who still do not believe Covid exists.

[KN-xllw]

These respiratory therapists are true heroes and deserve recognition for their service. They're working inches away from a deadly infection and (prior to the vaccine) were at the highest risk. Most of us cannot even begin to imagine what he's seen and done.

[longhaulblue]

Thank you for what you do and for shedding light on what you go through daily and how you feel. It's more than just the lungs and hearts of Covid patients, isn't it? It's also the emotional toll of health care workers who have now fought this for a year. Soldiers don't even fight this long at a battle front without a rotation away. It pains me to contemplate what you go through and frustrates me no end that there are those who think this is fake and who don't bother to wear a mask.

[AnnAndNala]

So incredibly sad. Thank you for everything that you do.. Sadly so many still need to be convinced this is REAL. Thank you for sharing this important information.

[pattykelly]

Healthcare is a right not a priviledge. Healthcare coverage - not just access to but ACTUAL healthcare coverage should be given to everyone.

[GaryBoyd]

Great video and there are a ton of Americans that need to watch it. Especially the last sentence.

[M.C.Blackwell]

This needs to be on billboards. God bless every one of those people and people should never have to go without medical care because of lack of money.

[SportbikeUnitedRiderz]

Thanks to all the healthcare workers who have helped throughout this pandemic.

[mjohnson]

So sad, so scary. Very sobering - thank you for sharing his story!

[LS-elsf]

That was SO IMPACTFUL - thank you for posting this Katie...His last comment is the truth.

[irenebrough]

My son is a Respiratory Therapist in Idaho so I worry so much about him. Thank you for what you do. God watch over you 🙏

[nicolepachl]

I am a RRT who served in AZ during the 1st and 2nd surge. We were in the ER and ICUs treating air starved people with fluid filled lungs and frequent blood clots forming close to their hearts. It was a nightmare then and it is getting worse. I am posting a huge Thank you to all frontline workers for your efforts to save lives!

[gwen]

These types of stories need to reach the local news. This says it all. Creator God bless you and give you strength to carry on, wisdom in your work and protection!

[rebeccaabel]

Thank you respiratory therapists all over the world.

[karenjones]

thank you, benjamin. i'm a retired r.t., well explained.

[pattywest]

Just horrible to think about. As a retired nurse of 30 years, It's unimaginable what the patients, patients' families, and the health-care givers are experiencing with so many mortalities. God bless all of us.

[thewolfinsheepsclothing]

I live in VEGAS and my dresser does a strippers hair. She kept going to school so she didn't have to pay her school loans!!! SHE HAPPENED TO BE CERTIFIED AS A RESPIRATORY THERAPIST! She is a huge success now!!

[spiritualone]

Thanks Katie for posting this. The crazies need to see this and wake up to the dangers of this disease.