I am a clinical social worker in Rochester, NY. I  treat people who have insomnia, anxiety, depression and other life stressors they are managing. I provide care to health care professionals, educators, business people, students and others who’ve been sharing distressing personal situations they’ve encountered during the pandemic. I am also hearing similar stories in the news on a daily basis. The problem is that victims of COVID-19 and others without COVID-19 are dying alone in facilities, without their loved ones being allowed to be with them.

Naturally, I want to lower the risk of COVID-19 and at the same time I’d like to prevent generations of people suffering with the trauma related to not being with their loved ones at the end of their lives.

When the governor of Washington instituted their state of emergency in March 2020 the  proclamation listed a specific exemption to respect end of life with compassionate care. This allows loved ones to visit and be present at the end of life .

This kind and compassionate care for the dying person eases their suffering and prevents longer term suffering for their loved ones and the healthcare providers. Safety measures can be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while also practicing compassionate end of life practices. 

I propose Governor Cuomo update his proclamation allowing for compassionate end of life care in hospitals and other facilities that would include allowing loved ones to safely visit and be with their dying loved one during this state of emergency. See Washington State’s proclamation attached for what we propose our state’s proclamation to look like.