Behind every patient who recovered from coronavirus infection is the colossal work of those who carry out heavy duty in the hospital - doctors, nurses, orderlies, volunteers. Twins Maria and Daria Konovalov are among them in the "red zone" of the coronavirus hospital in Krylatskoye.
- How did you twin sisters decide to become nurses?
Dasha: All childhood we ran to work to our mother - she was a midwife, an older nurse-laboratory assistant in an outpatient clinic. And we really enjoyed seeing what she was doing.
Masha: So yes, from childhood we realized for ourselves that we would follow in the footsteps of our mother. I will note, by the way, that we helped my mother in her free time and take care of homeless animals. Therefore, we also received a higher veterinary education.
- So you have a dynasty of nurses, right?
Masha: Yes, our mother, Olga Vasilievna Konovalova, and today she works at branch 2 of the city polyclinic 52.
- How did you come to the decision to go exactly to the "red zone" and why together?
Dasha: We went to the "red zone" because we knew that we could handle it, we already had experience. And they never regretted our decision - leaving the shift, we feel satisfaction that we have coped, we were able to help seriously ill patients.
Masha: Why did we go together? Many came here with families, many friends from other hospitals came here together. When my sister, friends, acquaintances are around, the work is easier - we help and support each other. Therefore, we have a close-knit, reliable team.
- How did your family react to this bold decision of yours?
Masha: In the first wave they were afraid to let us go. And in the second, we reacted calmly, because we are already sure that we will cope.
- Isn't it scary to enter the "red zone"?
Dasha: We had no fear of getting sick, there was anxiety - suddenly we could not cope, we could not fully do our job in such a suit.
- How do patients react to you twins?
Masha: Those of them who notice that we are twins are greeted with a smile.
- How will they know? Faces cannot be seen in protective suits.
Dasha: Yes, all the hospital staff are like twins in these suits, we all look the same, only the eye color is different. We are called "teletubbies" and "penguins" (smiles). So that the patients do not confuse us, we sign our names with a marker on the suits - and they will know.
- You were on duty in the "red zone" on December 31 and January 1. What was the holiday in a protective suit like?
Masha: The disease does not recognize holidays. But everyone was in high spirits - both the patients and the medical staff. In the hospital there were Christmas trees at every post, New Year's films could be watched by everyone, Santa Clauses in protective suits walked around and congratulated patients, wishing, of course, the main thing - a speedy recovery.