Life and Work Dilemmas for This Nurse and Equestrian, Battling COVID-19 Head On
Health Care Hero Turns to Horses for Relief During Pandemic
Angie McDaniel, an acute care recovery room RN in a level 1 trauma center in Greenville, South Carolina, is on the frontline of the COVID-19 battle. Despite being hailed as a hero, she and her fellow healthcare workers are not immune to the fear and stress of the pandemic.
In her spare time, McDaniel finds solace on her horse farm in Landrum, South Carolina. She competes in combined driving events with her pony, Squirrel, but the nature of horse sports is inherently dangerous. During the pandemic, McDaniel urges equestrians to take extra precautions to prevent injury, as hospitals in many regions are already overtaxed.
McDaniel changes clothes and shoes at the hospital and takes a rigorous sanitation routine before and after work for her own safety. Her scrubs are cleaned in the hospital laundry. Despite these precautions, COVID-19 patients under her care tend to cough more than normal and are not always able to cover their mouths, increasing her risk of exposure.
The emotional toll from watching COVID-19 patients decline without their families is significant for health care workers. Hospitals are not allowing visitors, causing distress for patients, especially the elderly, trauma patients, and those who have lost a pregnancy in the early stages.
Greenville, South Carolina, currently has one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infection in the state. McDaniel hopes that equestrians will take the time to spend quiet, quality time with their horses during the pandemic, finding comfort and relaxation in the routine of taking care of them.
McDaniel's statements are not just about the precautions she suggests for equestrians during the pandemic but also about the emotional impact of COVID-19 on health care workers. She hopes that people will understand the stress and fear they are facing and take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of the virus.
Squirrel, who helps McDaniel with relaxation, lives on a stable property, but the provided search results do not contain specific information about who Squirrel is or the exact location or ownership of the stable grounds. Regardless, McDaniel finds comfort in the company of her ponies, a welcome respite from her stressful job.
Despite the toll the job and the pandemic have taken on her, McDaniel continues to work the night shift, coming into direct contact with COVID-19 patients. She hopes that her efforts, along with those of her fellow healthcare workers, will help bring an end to this global crisis.
