US nurse tells of life on the frontline fighting COVID-19

With her face red raw and exhaustion and frustration etched into her expression, this nurse has offered a confronting insight into exactly what life is like on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis.

Brenda Hopkins, who works in a hospital in the California, revealed her fears the patients she treats could end up killing her or her family as she detailed the startling reality facing medics worldwide.

In a LinkedIn post that has gone viral, the US nurse said she was at breaking-point after more than a week of intensive 12-hour shifts.

“I broke down and cried today,” Ms Hopkins said. “I cried of exhaustion, of defeat, because after four years of being an ER nurse, I suddenly feel like I know nothing.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the statement: ‘But this is what you signed up for.’ I signed up to take care of sick patients, yes. I did not sign up to be unprotected by their sickness.

“I did not sign up to be yelled at by angry patients because our government failed to be prepared. I did not sign up to risk mine and my family’s health and safety because people wanted to go on their vacation.”

Ms Hopkins’ face was left red as a result of wearing a mask throughout her long shifts. “I have to go into every patient’s room ... and in the back of my mind I think this could be the patient that gives me the virus.”