Dr. Amanda Doucette is on the frontlines of medical crisis in the state that is hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Stephenville native left home at 17 to study medicine in United States. She now works as an anesthesiologist at a busy New Jersey hospital. Over one third of the 300,000 cases in the United States have been reported in New York.

She says about two weeks ago, COVID-19 patients started showing up at the ER, but now they are “overwhelmed.”

Doucette works directly with infected patients, in many cases intubating those who require ventilation. Her main concern is a shortage of protective equipment.

“Last Wednesday I was given a paper bag with four N95 respirators which was to be my supply for the entire month” she told the VOCM Morning Show.

She says that sometimes forces her to go from room to room seeing different patients wearing the same PPE. She’s also witnessed hospital support staff wearing level one masks and seen others with exposed arms while delivering food and cleaning. Some nurses are wearing hospital gowns as a source of protection.

Doucette says “every morning when I get up I get a pain in the pit of my stomach. I just get a feeling that I don’t want to come to work which is something I never thought I’d experience in my career – I don’t want to bring this home.”

Throughout the entire hospital it’s taking a toll on all staff. “Everyone is stressed and anxious and overworked. It’s a very emotional time for everyone” she says.

With many family remembers still living in Newfoundland, she wants them to hear her story so they will see how easily this can get out of control.

“Just stay home” she says. “Do your part and hopefully save others from this.”