It has been five years since I saw my first COVID-19 patient here in St. Lucie County, Florida. It was a 90-year-old woman, who subsequently died alone in a cold hospital room with no one to hold her hand.

It was a strange and unsettling time – coming from a hospital that was vibrant and full of constant activity to a place that felt lifeless. The halls were empty, room doors were closed, and everyone was fully covered in gowns and masks. Surgeries were canceled, and fear was evident among health care workers, patients – everyone. The anxiety was overwhelming, a sense of the unknown looming over us all.

We had seen what was happening in Europe and knew it was coming for us next. We tried to prepare, but when the coronavirus hit, it was like a hurricane with 200-plus mph winds when all we were bracing for was a tropical storm.

Despite our knowledge of viruses and treatments from the past 20 years, our initial attempts at using existing medications failed, except steroids and remdesivir. Patients would arrive with shortness of breath and, within 24 hours, be in body bags. Despite our best efforts, many died.

Could we have prevented these deaths? What could we have done........

© USA TODAY