I'm not looking for sympathy, I've made my choice.

I'm frustrated and sad because of this. I visited one of my closest friends and for the first time in years we did not hug. I won't be the reason someone gets sick. I just want to touch someone who is not a patient. I want to feel skin without a glove on, but I won't. I sleep all day and work all night. I wave to my family as I head back to the hospital. I'm weary, and this is far from over.

Edit: The friend I visited is a nurse at my hospital. We sat ten feet apart in her backyard; I came through the side gate.

I know three weeks is not a long time. Physical contact is how I feel loved. We're a pretty touchy family, but that is very turned down at the moment.

When I posted this I just finished my 5th straight 12-hour shift and was emotionally drained. On top of all the covid-19 stuff we are now getting, we are still dealing with strokes, heart attacks, traumas, assaults, and child abuse.