These are the heroes of our hearts: Viral and heartbreaking photos of doctors and nurses battling COVID-19

As the number of people who are positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is increasing by leaps and bounds around the world, tragic milestones are also being moved every day. The death toll in Italy at the time of writing is 5,476 and in Spain 2,206. (Source: worldometers.info) If ever, it is now clear that it will take a super battle to contain it!

And healthcare workers they are those who fought and will continue to fight in the first line, on the front line. The photos you will see below are living proof of what happens behind the doors of hospitals. From endless shifts leaving their faces scraped to not even having the proper equipment to work with, putting their lives at risk - their the sacrifice is massive! While looking at these photos, take a moment or two to think about the Slovenian heroes and thank them!

The doctor's face after spending 13 hours in the intensive care unit

This is what a face looks like after wearing an N95 mask all day

The face of a Czech doctor after a long shift in which she devoted herself to patients with the coronavirus

A nurse's face after hours and hours in intensive care

These photos remind us of the health crisis in which we currently find ourselves. dr. Anna Yaffee, director of the Global Health Institute at Emory University, believes sharing these photos is even more important. "Sharing the photos reinforces the fact that there are still people out there working tirelessly to save the lives of those who are sick," he adds. But what complicates their work is the lack of protective and hospital equipment. The mayor of New York said on Sunday that the city "ten days before he runs out of everything he needs. If we don't get more ventilators, people will die."

"I just finished a 12-hour shift testing for COVID-19."

A nurse's face after a grueling shift

This is the anesthesiologist Dr. John Henao, who is slowly running out of suitable protective equipment

The nurse's face after removing the mandatory equipment

"I've been an intensive care nurse for 13 years, and I've never seen anything like this."

Abrasions from protective equipment

dr. Joy Vink is on the front lines in New York, but unfortunately she doesn't have access to protective gear

Fatigue, fear and worry, along with injuries and sweating caused by protective equipment

"This is my new reality. Our unit spent 10 and a half hours in protective gear. In the meantime, we had an hour free."

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Morning everyone. This is my new reality. Our unit has turned into an ITU and I spent 10.5hrs with 1hr off in full PPE with covid patients. You develop headaches from the straps, pain all over your face, all of which you can't touch until you de-robe. I still have marks and pain this morning. Please all stay at home and do what is required. Chances are you will be ok but you might pass it onto someone else. We don't need more patients!!! . . #covid_19 #covidnurse #nurse #nurselife #itunurse #hdunurse #stayhome #stayhomesavelives #nursesofinstagram #nhs #nationalhealthservice #pandemic #nhsstaff #intensivecare #intensivecareunit #itu #highdependencyunit #nursing #canstillruntowork #runnersofinstagram #running #runningmotivation #runner #runhappy #fitnessmotivation #fitness @jo_johnston_theophilus #rowingnurse

A post shared by Luke Theophilus (@rowing.nurse) he Mar 22, 2020 at 11:30pm PDT