Struggles Intensify as Loved Ones Remain Separated During Critical Moments

A year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 700,000 deaths in the U.S., families of patients are pleading for hospitals to reassess visitor policies. While some facilities have eased restrictions, others remain firm, citing safety concerns.

Jayden Arbelaez, a 17-year-old in Jacksonville, Florida, was forced to climb onto a hospital roof to see her dying mother through a window. Despite vaccines and improved safety protocols, policies remain inconsistent. Some families and medical experts argue these restrictions cause psychological and emotional harm, with many relatives showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Research highlights that isolation impacts not only families but also patients, potentially leading to delirium and delaying crucial treatments. Dr. Lauren Van Scoy, a pulmonary and critical care physician, advocates for balanced measures, noting that families can also support overburdened healthcare staff.

Exceptions for dying patients, like Arbelaez’s mother, reveal inconsistencies in enforcement. Although some hospitals, like the University of Utah Health, now allow limited visitors with strict guidelines, others maintain stringent bans, prioritising staff burnout and infection control.

Calls for change have led to petitions and public outcry, urging policymakers and hospitals to reconsider the balance between safety and compassion. For many, the lack of access remains a source of profound grief and frustration, underscoring the enduring challenges of the pandemic.