COVID Is Straining Rural Hospitals, Where There’s No Plan B

Health care facilities in rural areas hard-hit by the coronavirus are running out of ways to provide safe care to patients. Unlike earlier in the pandemic, it’s more difficult to find hospitals with capacity to spare.

A travel nurse shares an audio diary recorded for NPR in Fargo, N.D., and two health care workers from North Dakota and Utah describe the unique challenges they’re facing.

WPLN’s Blake Farmer and NPR’s Carrie Feibel have reported on the staffing challenges hospitals are facing.

In participating regions, you’ll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what’s going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.