To the Editor:

Re “Death Toll Spikes at Nursing Homes as Defenses Crack” (front page, April 18):

I am a medical director of two nursing homes in New York City. Thanks for your article showing the world the effect of Covid-19 on the nursing home population. However, let’s not forget the impact on the families of the loved ones lost and the impact on the staff. Employees who get the virus and die. Employees who get the virus and transmit to family members. The overall morale of the staff — the deep-seated pain of seeing so many elderly die, people with whom you have created lasting bonds.

I love being a geriatrician; it is my calling. I love seeing the smile on my patients’ faces. I love providing compassionate end-of-life care when necessary.

However, Covid-19 has nearly killed my spirit. As I enter the building, I put on a suit of armor to battle the invisible Covid-19. I can’t recognize the staff — we are all masked and suited up. We see residents with fevers, some with cough. We try and try, yet people die.

I just can’t take it. My heart bleeds. Why did the government not come and assess the needs of nursing homes from the onset? Nursing homes have so few resources. We are warriors going to battle without all the necessary equipment. The government failed us. Most important, it failed the elderly.