(MENAFN – Swissinfo)
One of the many health workers treating Covid-19 patients at Switzerland’s first Covid response hospital. Valeriano Di Domenico
Swiss photographer Valeriano Di Domenico captured raw images and impressions of people treating Covid-19 patients through the pandemic.
This content is published January 9, 2021 – 12:00 January 9, 2021 – 12:00 Helen James
Born in England, I have lived in Switzerland since 1994. I trained as a graphic designer in Zurich between 1997 – 2002. I recently moved to work as a photo editor and joined the team at swissinfo.ch in March 2017.
More on the author | Multimedia
Valeriano Di Domenico (Photographer) View in other languages: 3
Last spring, Di Domenico was sent by a local newspaper to cover the pandemic at Switzerland’s first Covid response hospital, in Locarno, in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. Moved by what he saw, he returned to take another series of photos and speak to the people behind the masks.
This second set of photos is a more personal one of the nurses and doctors on the front lines and how they are experiencing the pandemic. They are currently on display near the hospital.
Here are some of the faces of the people he met and what they had to say.
Selina Madrigali, intensive care nurse
Valeriano Di Domenico
“It’s hard to see the anxiety of colleagues who are usually always in a good mood. It was also difficult to see all the patients who arrived, intubate them, and prepare them for the whole process; especially their reaction when someone explained to them. them what to expect. ‘
Valeriano Di Domenico
Nicola Clerici, Head of Anesthesiology
Valeriano Di Domenico
‘At some point we thought we weren’t going to make it. We probably wouldn’t have made it past the pandemic had the hospital admission rate stayed the same. We have used up all of the territory’s resources. ‘
Valeriano Di Domenico
Paola Galeazzi, intensive care nurse
Valeriano Di Domenico
“I came from the regional hospital in Lugano and had heard about the situation in Locarno. But seeing the patient being intubated with their own eyes was another matter. I was immediately assigned to two patients and got to work. What impressed me was the number of patients, colleagues, patients. and constant noise. ‘
Valeriano Di Domenico
Ricardo Da Graca Gameiro, nurse practitioner
Valeriano Di Domenico
“I worked in the emergency room. In the beginning, when so many patients came, it was difficult to keep busy. We had to move the entire ward outside the hospital to make space for intensive care beds. The solidarity of the population was great. Provided support.”
Valeriano Di Domenico
Raffaella Gentilini, intensive care nurse
Valeriano Di Domenico
“On March 9th, I returned to the hospital after four days off and was thrown into a completely different reality. Very few of us and the patients kept coming and had to be intubated and prepared. Until help came from another hospital, everything was very bad. difficult. ‘
Valeriano Di Domenico
Pietro Fare, Head of Internal Medicine
Valeriano Di Domenico
“One day I entered the room of a dying woman. I told her I was going to give her a hug from the Pope. The day before, the Pope said that we should show a gentle attitude towards parents. She shone and touched my arm. She said,” It seems you are my son. . “It’s a gesture that moves me.”
One of the many health workers treating Covid-19 patients at Switzerland’s first Covid response hospital. Valeriano Di Domenico
Laura Ostinelli, intensive care nurse
Valeriano Di Domenico
“I arrived in Locarno at night from Mendrisio. I tried to imagine what I would find there. But the reality is completely different, very surprising.”
Valeriano Di Domenico
Valeriano Di Domenico External link working as a freelance photographer. He lives and works in Zurich.
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