Eye of the Storm: A Week in the Life of a Paramedic Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic

As part of Time magazine’s “Heroes of the Front Lines” series, “Eye of the Storm: A Week in the Life of a Paramedic Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic” shares the stories of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in Teaneck, New Jersey, over the course of a week during the first wave of the pandemic through the work of EMT and photographer, Danny Kim. His photographs take up the bulk of the article, depicting him and his colleagues throughout their workdays as they attempt to stay on top of the virus. Kim describes how overwhelmed hospitals began authorizing paramedics to work within the hospital and taught them new skills like intubation, exposing workers to a greater risk of contracting COVID-19. After witnessing three colleagues test positive, Kim began documenting his coronavirus experience to create a visual record.

In the periphery of urban America, Kim’s experience at the “eye of the storm” was anything but the peacefulness the term connotes. He describes the introspection triggered by the pandemic, questioning his identity and place in the world, exhausted by endless hours of emotionally taxing work and the stress of potentially spreading COVID-19 to his loved ones. Despite these challenges, Kim and his colleagues highlighted their dedication to their jobs and their determination to do their part in mitigating the impact of COVID-19. The extubation and release of 68-year-old Shuomimg Liu on 16 April 2020 offered a much-needed moment of relief for the hospital workers, as they celebrated a success after days of tragedy. Kim’s story reveals the sacrifices of healthcare workers during the pandemic and their dogged commitment to fighting COVID-19 despite the adversity.