Respiratory Therapist describes work during Coronavirus Pandemic

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- As hospitals tackle the Coronavirus Pandemic, respiratory therapists are being called on now more than every to help save lives. Eva Snyder has been a respiratory therapist for more than 30 years and says she's never seen anything like the COVID-19 crisis. 

"This nurse had posted, and she works up in Detroit, and she literally had 3 people die within the first three hours of her shift," said Snyder.

Snyder says unlike other respiratory diseases, COVID-19 doesn't allow for airways to be restored through normal breathing exercises. 

"The problem with the COVID-19 is when it gets in the lungs, the lungs actually get stiff, and it’s not a matter of us just sitting down and taking a breath in and out," said Snyder. "They’re really working to get it in."

Snyder says another problem is the relatively low numbers of people in her field in the Michiana area. 

"There’s definitely a shortage just like all health care workers," said Snyder. "I love respiratory, I can’t imaging going into any other field."