'Imagine watching a patient suffocating': ICU nurse's powerful message - ABC News

A nurse's words on the immense personal toll of treating COVID-19 patients has gone viral, including grabbing the attention of her local mayor.

At this week's city council committee meeting in Aurora, Illinois, Mayor Richard Irvin read the powerful message posted to Facebook Saturday by intensive care unit nurse Carol Williams.

"Imagine watching a patient suffocating through a door while scrambling to get your PPE on because they inadvertently removed the mask they desperately need to breathe but you still need to protect yourself first.".

"Imagine being the nurse and doctor telling a patient we need to put them on the ventilator because we have exhausted all other measures," Williams wrote.

Mayor Irvin said at the meeting, "Remember her words.

Many council members appeared overcome with emotion after hearing Williams' words, with one member saying, "So moved.".

"I was moved myself just hearing them out loud," she said of the mayor reading her words