A retrospective look at the outbreak

A book for recognition, remembrance, comfort and closure. The first global corona wave, perhaps the greatest challenge the healthcare system ever faced, made a big impression and left deep marks.

For all the hospital staff who were there – up close or distant by necessity – we conceived and made this book. Largely compiled by the staff themselves. Our neighbours and colleagues from Trichis helped us with the layout of the book.

Matglas is named after the ‘haze’ seen on scans of a corona patient’s lungs. ‘The title also refers to the uncertain period,’ says editor-in-chief Willemieke Vos. ‘The vagueness. We were in a world unknown to us.’

‘What has stayed with me most is the silence,’ says editor-in-chief Willemieke Vos. On 16 March 2020, all scheduled care was suddenly stopped. ‘As a result, it became hauntingly quiet in the hospital all at once. In memory of that intense period, Matglas was created, for and by employees of the hospital.’

The book tries to cover all departments as much as possible. For instance, we also follow cleaner Jos, who disinfected all hospital rooms down to the last detail. A nice way to reflect on the efforts made by all colleagues during a difficult time.