This archive report was first published on 10 May 2020.
On a day that would change her life forever, Poonam Sharma Mathis, a 37-week pregnant woman, prepared to give birth to her daughter Asha in a New York hospital. The year was 2020, and the world was in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As she lay in her hospital bed, Poonam's contractions were about 15 minutes apart. She was about to be pulled into an operating room at Cornell for a C-section. Her husband, Kris Mathis, was by her side, dressed in a hazmat suit to protect himself from the virus.
As Poonam was wheeled into the operating room, she was greeted by a doctor who asked her husband if he wanted to grab some shoes. But Kris was too focused on supporting his wife to worry about such details.
After a long and arduous delivery, Poonam finally held her newborn daughter in her arms. But the joy was short-lived, as she soon realized that she would have to say goodbye to Asha immediately after birth due to the pandemic restrictions.
As Poonam reflected on her experience, she couldn't help but feel a sense of fear and uncertainty. She was scared of contracting the virus and passing it on to her son, Pierce, who was 4 and a half years old. She was also worried about the impact of the pandemic on her family's life.
But amidst all the chaos and uncertainty, Poonam found hope in her daughter's eyes. She believed that the eyes of a newborn child could reveal something about their personality, and she was convinced that Asha was a special child.
As Poonam looked at her daughter, she felt a sense of gratitude and wonder. She was grateful that Asha was healthy, and she was grateful for the love and support of her family. And as she gazed into Asha's eyes, she knew that she would do anything to protect her and keep her safe.
