Behind the Mask: Stories of the COVID-19 Pandemic - Documentary on NBC

Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Costas narrates this look behind the scenes revealing the courage and resilience of SSM Health caregivers, patients, and their families. It is ultimately a story of hope and healing. The documentary first aired on NBC affiliates in October 2021.

00:00 Intro
00:44 Intensive Care Physician's Navigating the Pandemic
02:58 Intensive Care Nurse on the frontlines
06:10 A COVID-19 Patient's Experience...
09:33 Assisted Living Facilities During the Pandemic
11:47 Providing PPEs to Nurses and Doctors
14:40 Retired Judge Who Almost died from the Virus
17:30 Infectious Disease Specialist on how Covid 19 is Different
20:50 Patient Starts to Experience Systems...
24:10 Sanitizing Facilities
27:05 A Child with Covid-19...
30:16 A Couple that Works in Healthcare and their Experiences
33:59 Contractor with Covid-19 grateful to providers
37:08 Dr. Garza leading the pandemic task force
43:30 What happens inside Covid Units
45:54 SSM President pandemic response
49:06 Gloria's Story
51:46 Dr. Nadeem's story
55:22 Out & Credits

SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across the Midwest through a robust and fully integrated health care delivery system. The organization’s 40,000 team members and more than 12,800 providers are committed to providing exceptional health care services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone they serve.

With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health includes 23 hospitals, more than 300 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, 13 post-acute facilities, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. It is one of the largest employers in every community it serves.

[AJourneyWithWingsFullerton]

It was an honor to make this flight for you Megan.

[rhondawhite]

Please tell Larhonda that she's a wonderful person for all her hard work. The cleaning staff do so much good in hospitals and clinics.

[Gonzoweirdo]

What an important documentary for us all. This documentary is simply amazing!! The one person whoever disliked it is simply not human. If you dislike this documentary, you are simply not human. This should get 5 million views. This movie should win an Academy Award. How could anyone not love this video? Our thoughts, and prayers go out to those who have died for 20 months. May the 721, 000 since March of 2020 RIP! 😢 Our thoughts, and prayers go out to the countless Americans who have died, and to their families.

[Neyjina]

I was a fresh baby nurse during Covid and volunteered for the ICU. It was when this awake and alert patient of mine started drawing crosses on his table and pointing to the rooms around his ( he couldn’t speak, since he was trached and still on a ventilator) when I realised that every single one of our patients will leave us either traumatised or in a body bag… It was unbelievably hard work physically and emotionally, but man, I learned a ton. About myself, about others, about life, death, my profession… I grew a lot during this time.

[Hippie-ig]

This lady cleaning hospital rooms is a treasure. ❤

[garrymoise]

Much respect for anyone who works in healthcare settings.

This video should be one more reason for us to take the virus seriously.

Forget about political stances. Prioritize health.

[daneweems]

Thank all of you for what you do I will never forget you.Covid-19 ventilator 3 months 12/2020.

[Angelisa]

By God, these healthcare workers are phenomenonal.

[marthaespinoza]

Excellent documentary and very grateful to the frontline workers keeping us going. I have always taken this virus seriously and will continue to do so. Thank you and good wishes to all of humanity.

[contrarian]

Such an important message, delivered with such empathy and impact. Well done.

[sharona]

This video changed my life. I'm immunocompromised. I can't get the vaccine. I was told to stay in. Its getting to me. I however know I could die. I have died 2 times. I survived I feel for a reason. Not sure what it is but I don't wish anyone death. Its the only thing we all were given. Life. We need to cherish this miracle. So I will do everything to stay alive. I'm so grateful for those who work in healthcare...I did accomplish 6 years of medical courses. I have aspbetgers. I also have 15 illnesses. I was told I'm a miracle. I thank all the healthcare and hospitals who took care of me. The new variant omnicron I think it's spelled really scares me. Thank you for this excellent video.

[jcee]

Thanks to nurses, doctors and allied workers I survived my covid experience last October and November. In a coma and ventilator for one month and another month of rehab. Plus the faith of my family. I'm right there with you bro. The guy in the green top and long hair. I feel the same and went through the same. It doesn't leave you even after recovering.

[ajjay]

This is so beautifully done. Very raw and real. Thank you to the selfless and caring doctors and nurses and staff who rise to save lives. Very moving.

[deenalandstrom]

I'm sorry you had to go through that Stanley. You got this! GOD bless you & watch over you always.

And for the record, I'm sorry anyone had to go through what they've gone through. Any one & everyone.

[thraciangrapes]

Here I am a year after recuperating from my 2nd infection with covid19 and I am still bedridden with extreme covid long haul fatigue. I can't do even the most basic chores to clean my apartment.

Two years ago I was working a very physically challenging job. I was as strong as most of my male coworkers. I was killing it as they say. Now I'm almost an invalid who can't even wash my own hair and body without help.

I'm clumsy, I have brain fog, and I lost my beautiful thick waist length hair all due to covid19. Covid is real, it's not a conspiracy theory that some unbalanced immature ones who haven't had the virus yet, are in complete denial of.

[anthonyesparsen]

Remember guys an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure, don’t be a day late and a dollar short like my uncle and aunt not ready to die at all begging for the doctors to not let them die ok, at the end my uncle had 30 medical staff working on him yet he expired fast, I just hope you get my point on this Matter .

[tedallenwolff]

This is a remarkably well done production. I learned a lot! Thank you

[heathercoddington]

Health care workers are our true heroes! Let's not forget them in our daily prayers.

[john_thorpe]

@16:36 "Somebody who says they have a constitutional right not to wear a mask, this is what I say to them; You might have a constitutional right not to wear a mask, but you don't have a constitutional right to kill me." ... very well said... people don't get that their rights end when they impede other peoples rights and that includes their right to health ... also it's sad that some people think their rights supersede the rights of others... when in fact they don't.

[Linda-qtqk]

It’s heartbreaking to see those grown men cry. Rip to all of the victims of this disease, and condolences for their families. Thank you to all of the staff involved in the care of these very sick people.