Health

Gallery: Getting ready for patients this week at Detroit's newest medical facility

April 07, 2020, 8:24 AM by  Alan Stamm


TCF Center has 1,000 of these, due to start getting occupied at the end of this week. Eight more photos by Michael Lucido are below.

Seeing nearly finished critical-care wards arise in seven days at two sprawling exhibition halls brings to mind a time-lapse video.

Photos have shown fast-paced progress since work began March 31 at TCF Center. Long rows of white-draped cubicles now hold hospital beds, lamps, chairs and brackets for overhead monitors. Medical supplies fill stainless steel racks nearby. Portable hand-wash stations await installation, as do water fountains, beverage coolers and tall food warmers.

In normal times, this space -- know as Cobo Center until last August -- hosts Detroit Economic Club luncheons, the auto show, food festivals and the Natural Hair Show. Now the surreal scene has oxygen and nitrogen tanks, patient-lifting hoists, wheelchairs and body boards for transfers from ambulance gurneys.

"Every corner is a grim reminder of what's coming and how many will be impacted," photographer Michael Lucido of Deadline Detroit says after a media tour Monday afternoon. "It felt chilling to know people here will be fighting for their lives."

Coronavirus patients reportedly could be transferred from filled hospitals as soon as Thursday.

The field hospital, formally called a temporary alternative care facility, was designed by the Army Corps of Engineers, built by TCF Center workers and furnished by Michigan National Guard members still moving materials. It's expected to be staffed by a U.S. Army medical brigade, as is the case at New York City's convention center.

Photos by Michael Lucido


A stop-and-stare still life in the time of Covid-19.

Not all military missions are dramatic, but all are vital community service.
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Wheelchairs are among just-delivered supplies.
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Life-sustaining oxygen for respiratory infection patients.

Beverage dispensers and food warmers are moved into place Monday afternoon.

The best sight recovering patients will see at the downtown convention hall.

 



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