Colonel Jennifer Radcliff is an Air Force orthopedic surgeon who came to New York City to help fight the new coronavirus. She is a seasoned military medical professional from Tampa who was deployed in Afghanistan. She says this outbreak is like nothing she has ever seen in her career.

"There is no doubt about it, this is one of the hardest things I've seen and I've been in combat  — to see this many people ill at one time,” Colonel Radcliff.

The Department of Defense has more than 500 military medical personnel in the five boroughs to support 10 city hospitals. Radcliff says it's a grueling schedule working during the pandemic. She's been here since the beginning of April.  And though she left her family back home, she says they understand the important purpose she is serving.

"I have a husband and five dogs, no kids, so they are my kids, my fur babies. I have a very supportive family,” Radcliff said.

Radcliff says seeing the city paused is nothing she could have ever imagined.

"I wish I could go to a nice New York City restaurant, but that's not going to happen,” Radcliffe said.

Internal Medicine Physician, Army Major Hapu Msonda came to the the city from Kentucky.

He plays a major role in assessing the needs of patients and when to move them to the Javits Center.

"For the patients coming to the Javits, yeah, it is a scary situation. They don't know where they are going, they are not around their family members,” Msonda said.

But he says an integral component of his job is comforting the patients. And he says listening to their needs makes a huge difference in bedside manner.

"I remember one patient came in and his main concern was do we have Kosher meals, something as simple as that. And yea we do offer Kosher meals, so we try to make you feel as comfortable as possible,” Msonda said.

Msonda credits the military for giving him the sense of determination that keeps him going.

"We will get through this. It is the American way of life, the pride and spirit,” Msonda said.