Assemblywoman Reyes breaks out her scrubs to join battle against COVID-19

A Bronx politician is joining the more than 52,000 healthcare workers answering the call to offer their skills and services during the coronavirus pandemic.

News 12 Staff

Mar 31, 2020, 2:27 AM

Updated 1,486 days ago

Share:

A Bronx politician is joining the more than 52,000 healthcare workers answering the call to offer their skills and services during the coronavirus pandemic.
Assemblywoman Karines Reyes was elected to office in 2018. She transitioned from full-time nurse to a pier-diem nurse, which means she's still active but only works if needed.
"It's funny because everybody always ask me if I was a nurse before and I always say I never stopped being a nurse," says Reyes.
Reyes returned to her old stomping grounds at Einstein Hospital to help out just this past weekend.
"It's very second nature," says Reyes. "Even when you haven't been there for a while, everything just kind of comes back like muscle memory and I love it and I feel like there is a purpose when I'm there."
Reyes has offered her skills before when she traveled to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and again to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
"Nursing has always been my passion," says Reyes. "I feel very complete when I'm performing my duties as a nurse."
Reyes says what's happening in the hospitals now is unlike any disaster relief she has volunteered for.
"The only way that I can help them directly is by putting on my scrubs and showing up," says Reyes.
undefined
 
 


More from News 12
0:55
NYPD: Search for person in the water near Coney Island boardwalk unsuccessful

NYPD: Search for person in the water near Coney Island boardwalk unsuccessful

1:56
Temperatures to plummet overnight; winter-like chills expected Thursday morning

Temperatures to plummet overnight; winter-like chills expected Thursday morning

1:47
Libraries could see new changes following no reversal of $58.3 million budget cut

Libraries could see new changes following no reversal of $58.3 million budget cut

1:52
Hundreds don denim to stand in solidarity with sexual assault survivors

Hundreds don denim to stand in solidarity with sexual assault survivors

1:14
Police Athletic League hosts annual singing and dancing competition for kids

Police Athletic League hosts annual singing and dancing competition for kids

1:35
New Yankees murals at Bronx Terminal Market pays homage to Black baseball legends

New Yankees murals at Bronx Terminal Market pays homage to Black baseball legends

1:45
Dunkin' on Rockaway Parkway reopens following upgrades

Dunkin' on Rockaway Parkway reopens following upgrades

0:21
Express announces 2 Brooklyn stores to close after filing for bankruptcy

Express announces 2 Brooklyn stores to close after filing for bankruptcy

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:21
Fire officials: 5 families displaced by Bensonhurst fire, 7 firefighters injured

Fire officials: 5 families displaced by Bensonhurst fire, 7 firefighters injured

1:04
DOT adds $6 million to boost overnight and evening deliveries over peak hours

DOT adds $6 million to boost overnight and evening deliveries over peak hours

0:20
MTA service alerts system now includes bridges, tunnels

MTA service alerts system now includes bridges, tunnels

0:18
NYPD: 26-year-old fatally shot in the neck, torso in Crown Heights

NYPD: 26-year-old fatally shot in the neck, torso in Crown Heights

1:46
Traverse Green-Wood Cemetery in 'And Then, Now' performative walk experience

Traverse Green-Wood Cemetery in 'And Then, Now' performative walk experience

0:38
DA: Brooklyn man sentenced to life for deadly armed robbery, shooting in East Williamsburg

DA: Brooklyn man sentenced to life for deadly armed robbery, shooting in East Williamsburg

1:31
Protesters hold Seder sit-in at Grand Army Plaza

Protesters hold Seder sit-in at Grand Army Plaza

0:59
City now has power to padlock illegal cannabis stores

City now has power to padlock illegal cannabis stores

DA: 3 teens indicted for killing bystander, wounding 4 in subway shooting

DA: 3 teens indicted for killing bystander, wounding 4 in subway shooting

1:57
State taxi federation raises reward for information to help stop carjackings, robberies

State taxi federation raises reward for information to help stop carjackings, robberies

2:16
New bill would hold Brooklyn landlords accountable of unacceptable living conditions

New bill would hold Brooklyn landlords accountable of unacceptable living conditions