'Such is life': In virus wards, death is a foe but a fact

A nurse cares for the patient in room No. 9, during his battle against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Even for ICU workers for whom death is a constant — and never more so than this year — witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to the virus can be a churn of emotions. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Dr. Philippe Montravers poses in front of a collection of portraits of medical staff at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Even for hospital staff for whom death is a constant, witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to COVID-19 is a churn of emotions. At the Paris hospital that recorded the first virus death outside Asia, nurses and paramedics in the intensive care unit have their own coping mechanisms. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Paramedic Bertrand Brissaud, cares for the patient in room No. 10, a few hours before he died after his nearly month-long battle against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. The patient in room No. 10 died later on Dec. 1. His was one of 775 virus deaths in France that day, adding to a national death toll now topping 56,000 and the worldwide count of more than 1.5 million dead. As one of the man's carers, Brissaud had been more physically intimate with him than many people are with their friends. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Medical staff, including Dr. Philippe Montravers, second left in background, attend a morning meeting, at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Even for hospital staff for whom death is a constant, witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to COVID-19 is a churn of emotions. At the Paris hospital that recorded the first virus death outside Asia, nurses and paramedics in the intensive care unit have their own coping mechanisms.(AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Nurse Hyad Boina, prepares to care for patients in room No. 9 and 10, both battling against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Nurse Hyad Boina cares for a patient in room No. 9, during his battle against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Even for ICU workers for whom death is a constant — and never more so than this year — witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to the virus can be a churn of emotions. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A child's drawing reads : "Elyana, 5 and a half years-old, Thanks for Papy, the doctors, You are super heroes" next to room No.10 a few hours before the patient there died after his nearly month-long battle against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. The patient in room No. 10 died on Dec. 1. His was one of 775 virus deaths in France that day, adding to a national death toll now topping 56,000 and the worldwide count of more than 1.5 million dead. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A syringe and protective googles are placed on a table before being used in the treatment of patients in room No. 9 and 10 who were suffering with COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. The patient in room No. 10 died later on Dec. 1. His was one of 775 virus deaths in France that day, adding to a national death toll now topping 56,000 and the worldwide count of more than 1.5 million dead. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A medical staff member uses the escalator at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Even for hospital staff for whom death is a constant, witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to COVID-19 is a churn of emotions. At the Paris hospital that recorded the first virus death outside Asia, nurses and paramedics in the intensive care unit have their own coping mechanisms. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Placards reading : "Be Courteous with the Staff" and "All Verbal or Physical Aggression with the Hospital Staff is liable to Criminal Prosecution" are adhered to a wall at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The unit's psychologist, Emmanuelle Busch, speaks with medical staff next to room 9 and 10 that has patients battling against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Even for ICU workers for whom death is a constant — and never more so than this year — witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to the virus can be a churn of emotions. For their own good and for their patients, they try to remain detached. They have coping mechanisms. Meditation or talking helps for some.(AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Nurse Hyad Boina, left, prepares a syringe to use in the treatment of a patient in room No. 9 in his battle against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A patient lying in bed in room No. 9, as he battles against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Even for hospital staff for whom death is a constant, witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to COVID-19 is a churn of emotions. At the Paris hospital that recorded the first virus death outside Asia, nurses and paramedics in the intensive care unit have their own coping mechanisms. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Medics walk along a corridor at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Even for hospital staff for whom death is a constant, witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to COVID-19 is a churn of emotions. At the Paris hospital that recorded the first virus death outside Asia, nurses and paramedics in the intensive care unit have their own coping mechanisms. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A medic works in the resuscitation room at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Even for hospital staff for whom death is a constant, witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to COVID-19 is a churn of emotions. At the Paris hospital that recorded the first virus death outside Asia, nurses and paramedics in the intensive care unit have their own coping mechanisms.(AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A nurse pauses next to room 5 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Even for hospital staff for whom death is a constant, witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to COVID-19 is a churn of emotions. At the Paris hospital that recorded the first virus death outside Asia, nurses and paramedics in the intensive care unit have their own coping mechanisms. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A surgeon washes his hands prior to surgery at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Even for hospital staff for whom death is a constant, witnessing the loss of a fellow human being to COVID-19 is a churn of emotions. At the Paris hospital that recorded the first virus death outside Asia, nurses and paramedics in the intensive care unit have their own coping mechanisms.(AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Dr. Philippe Montravers is pictured next to room No. 10, hours before the patient inside died after his nearly month-long battle against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. The patient in room No. 10 died later on Dec. 1. His was one of 775 virus deaths in France that day, adding to a national death toll now topping 56,000 and the worldwide count of more than 1.5 million dead. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Room No. 10, lays empty of the patient who the previous evening lost his nearly month-long battle against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. The patient in room No. 10 died on Dec. 1. His was one of 775 virus deaths in France that day, adding to a national death toll now topping 56,000 and the worldwide count of more than 1.5 million dead. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The patient in room No. 10, is pictured hours before he died after his nearly month-long battle against COVID-19 at Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. The patient in room No. 10 died on Dec. 1. His was one of 775 virus deaths in France that day, adding to a national death toll now topping 56,000 and the worldwide count of more than 1.5 million dead. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)