In March 2020, a documentary short I co-directed with filmmaker Kevin Gordon, Caregiver: A Love Story, wrapped. But all of our plans — film festivals, theatrical openings, an impact campaign — evaporated as the film world, and the world in general, suddenly shut down.
As despondent as I was that our movie might never see the light of day, I had more urgent things to worry about. Aside from being a filmmaker, I am a physician, and needed to turn my attention to caring for COVID-19 patients at the public hospital in Oakland.
Like other hospitals around the world, visitors were banned and patients died alone and in fear. It was devastating to watch.