Health-care workers describe high coronavirus-related stress during the pandemic.

Stress on the front lines of covid-19 Washington Post

Worry, exhaustion, constantly changing safety rules and long hours of wearing PPE are just a few things America’s health-care workers cite as the hardest parts of going to work on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

Their work has saved countless lives but also taken a personal toll: 62 percent say worry or stress related to covid-19 has had a negative effect on their mental health. A 55 percent majority feel “burned out” going to work. Nearly half of all health-care workers say worry or stress has caused them to have trouble sleeping or to sleep too much.

A nationwide Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll asked more than 1,300 front-line health-care workers to describe the hardest part of working during the pandemic in their own words.

Topping the list were fears of infection for themselves, their family members or patients, mentioned by 21 percent of health-care workers.

An additional 16 percent said wearing PPE was the hardest part of working during the pandemic. Some cited discomfort and overheating from wearing masks and other protective equipment throughout their workday, while others said masks detracted from the personal connections they seek when working with patients. ...