“It’s mentally, physically and emotionally draining,” said Kwan, who struggled to articulate the toll that a monthlong surge of COVID-19 patients is placing on his and other hospitals across Los Angeles County.

“This is a full-on Category 10. … It’s literally World War III,” he said.

“It’s not the volume of patients,” he said. “It’s the intensity and sickness of the patients. I’ve never thought some of these numbers are compatible with life, with patients coming in sicker than you can imagine.”…

“I don’t think a lot of people outside are seeing what we are seeing,” Kwan said. “It’s hard until you are in there, until your family and loved ones are in there.”