Introduction: More Than Just a White Coat

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people stayed home to stay safe — but not everyone had that option. While most of the world went into lockdown, corona doctors stepped out of their homes each day and into chaos.

They suited up in layers of protective gear, worked long hours in overcrowded wards, and faced the virus head-on — not just once, but day after day. But what did a typical day really look like for these frontline healthcare heroes?

In this blog post, we go behind the scenes into the life of a corona doctor during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis — highlighting their dedication, struggles, and triumphs.

5:00 AM – The Early Start

Long before the rest of the world wakes up, a corona doctor is already preparing for the day ahead.

• Quick scan of patient updates from the night shift

• Brief check-in with family (sometimes from another room to reduce risk)

• Light breakfast, hydration, and mental preparation

Mental Note: Today might bring tragedy. Or hope. Often both.

6:00 AM – Donning the Armor: PPE Protocols

Before stepping into the COVID ward, personal protective equipment (PPE) becomes the doctor’s second skin. This process is both essential and emotionally symbolic.

Standard PPE for Corona Doctors:

• N95 mask or higher-grade respirator

• Face shield or goggles

• Full-body gown

• Double gloves

• Head and shoe covers

The “donning” process takes 10–15 minutes and must be done precisely — any gap can mean exposure.

“When we wear PPE, we can’t eat, drink, or use the restroom for hours. You start every shift knowing there’s no going back once you're inside.”

7:00 AM – Rounds Begin: Checking the COVID-19 Ward

With PPE secured, the corona doctor enters the ward. The air is heavy — not just from the oxygen machines, but from the weight of responsibility.

Typical rounds include:

• Checking vitals of critical patients

• Reviewing lab results (oxygen saturation, blood tests)

• Adjusting medication or oxygen levels

• Speaking to nurses about overnight changes

• Updating patients who are awake and stable

Some patients are sedated. Some are scared. Others haven’t seen their families in weeks. The doctor offers more than just treatment — they offer human connection.

9:00 AM – Crisis Response in the ICU

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is where the most serious COVID-19 cases are treated. Here, the pace intensifies.

Responsibilities in the ICU:

• Intubating patients who can’t breathe on their own

• Monitoring ventilator settings

• Administering emergency drugs

• Consulting with pulmonologists and infectious disease teams

• Making life-or-death decisions under pressure

“Sometimes we lost patients faster than we could process. But we kept going — because someone else needed us in the next room.”

11:00 AM – Communication with Families

Due to isolation protocols, most COVID patients couldn’t have visitors. It was up to corona doctors to deliver news — good or bad — over the phone.

A part of the job that hurts the most:

• Informing families of worsening conditions

• Explaining next steps for unconscious patients

• Reassuring them when possible

• Breaking devastating news with compassion

Many doctors carried the burden of being the last person a patient ever saw.

12:30 PM – Lunch Break? Not Always

In theory, doctors are entitled to a break. But in COVID wards, schedules rarely went according to plan.

• Eating was difficult in full PPE

• Many skipped meals to stay with patients

• Dehydration and exhaustion were common

• Emotional burnout made food unappealing

Some corona doctors learned to eat large meals before or after shifts to stay fueled.

2:00 PM – Administrative Work and Research

Despite the chaos, documentation remained a legal and clinical necessity.

• Updating patient records

• Reporting recovery or death rates

• Logging medication changes

• Participating in new clinical research on treatments

• Attending briefings on new variants or protocols

4:00 PM – Shift Change and Briefing the Next Team

As the shift ends, the corona doctor hands over patients to the incoming team. But the emotional weight doesn’t clock out.

• Decompression in staff rooms

• Sharing updates with the next shift

• Discussing difficult cases or new complications

• Sometimes… just sitting in silence

6:00 PM – The Decontamination Ritual

Before going home, the process of “doffing” PPE begins — a slow, cautious removal to prevent infection.

• Each item removed in a precise sequence

• Hands sanitized after every step

• Dirty scrubs placed in hospital bins

• Showering immediately before heading home

Doctors often had “quarantine corners” at home — spaces where they kept away from family to protect them.

7:30 PM – Home, But Still On Alert

Even at home, corona doctors weren’t fully off-duty.

• Answering emergency calls

• Checking lab reports remotely

• Mentally revisiting the day’s events

• Dealing with anxiety, guilt, or grief

• Finding ways to stay hopeful

Many couldn’t hug their children or sleep beside their partners. The emotional isolation was real.

The Emotional Cost: More Than Just Exhaustion

Corona doctors witnessed more loss in a year than many do in a lifetime. Some described:

• Losing several patients in a single shift

• Watching coworkers fall ill

• Dealing with public denial or disrespect

• Feeling helpless despite their best efforts

Yet, they kept showing up — not because they had to, but because they cared.

The Strength Behind the Mask

Despite everything, many doctors say the experience taught them more than any textbook ever could.

“We learned resilience. We became family with our colleagues. We witnessed miracles. And we learned to find light in the darkest places.”

Conclusion: Not All Heroes Wear Capes — Some Wear PPE

The next time you hear the term corona doctor, remember: it's not just a medical title. It's a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and relentless dedication.