Through masks, goggles, and visors, their faces communicate strength: they're steeled and determined to face whatever challenges COVID-19 throws their way.
Portraits of healthcare workers at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, where dozens of coronavirus cases are being treated, reflect the ethos of medical professionals across the country who show up to face uncertain and dangerous circumstances day after day in order to care for patients.
, who has been the hospital's staff photographer for 8 years, started taking the portraits last week, as COVID-19 admissions were on the rise.
"I wanted to show what our people are going through, the dedication they have, the professionalism," Rhode told 乌鸦传媒 Today. "Everyone [in northern New Jersey] is going through a major crisis, and so are they, and the way they're performing just blows me away. I have no words to describe how well they are doing."
For a slideshow of all the portraits, click here.
Holy Name has , replacing the medical center's typical advertising. While more low-key than European countries' 8 p.m. balcony salute to healthcare workers, the message of the billboard and the series is the same -- appreciation for the teams putting their lives on the line for others.
Rhode feels compelled to capture the images of people he's known for years. "Some don't even notice I'm there, they're just so tired," he said. "They just work and sleep, and work and sleep at this point."
It's unlike anything Rhode has ever covered before, even though he has made more than a dozen trips to Haiti with Holy Name workers. There, many patients lack electricity or running water, they don't always have enough to eat, and every illness or environmental challenge "sets them back 10 steps."
"I've been thrown into different environments, but this is so close to home," he said. "It was really difficult to swallow when it started to happen. It's emotional, it's scary."
The intensive care unit situation, for one, has been nerve-wracking, he said.
"I'll go and see three rooms for isolation, with plastic and negative air flow. The next morning, I'll see three-quarters of the floor the same way. Two hours later, the whole floor is that way, all rooms in isolation with negative air flow. It's just staggering to see how fast it's growing."
Though he's still capturing portraits, Rhode said the job is different every day. He talks to sources around the hospital to find interesting stories, handing out his cell phone number or following leads.
Recently, he photographed engineers trying to figure out a way to modify ventilators to stretch that resource to more patients, and he shot the facilities teams installing new ventilation systems.
He also covered the construction of two additional structures that will be able to house about 30 more COVID-19 patients. A he posted to Instagram captures construction crews building out the new space, which formerly functioned as storage for the hospital.
One day, Rhode took pictures of staff setting up iPads for telemedicine. On another, he captured staff making kits with blood pressure monitors, oxygen sensors, and thermometers for home-care patients.
"Everyone is pitching in," he said. "Everyone is a hero."
Rhode said he hadn't seen his kids or his parents in several days in an attempt to keep them all protected from the virus, even though he's being careful about his own safety. He's made several training videos on donning and doffing gear, so he feels capable of those best practices, and he's also being observed by other staff members "to make sure I'm being as careful as possible."
Currently the hospital has enough personal protective equipment, but it is , and Rhode noted Holy Name has set up a .