New York And Michigan Hospitals Play Uplifting 'Don't Stop Believin' While Discharging Coronavirus Survivors

Medical staff working in hospitals around New York and Michigan, two areas hit particularly hard by the novel coronavirus pandemic, are sending patients home with some particularly positive fanfare: Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'".

Doctors and nurses working alongside patients who have recently conquered COVID-19, the illness that results from contracting the novel coronavirus, have taken to playing the 1981 hit when discharging patients who managed to pull through, Fox News reported. It's an uplifting way to offer hope to both the healthcare professionals working long hours to make a difference and the patients affected.

In a recent clip shared by the New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, a group of healthcare workers clad in protective equipment can be seen cheering on two discharged patients in wheelchairs as they dance along to the tune. The patients are seen clapping along to the hit, with one pumping their fists in the air triumphantly. It's easy to see how something so simple can lift spirits in such a profound way.

"As a message of hope during these challenging times, #NYPQueens plays Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” throughout the hospital each time a #COVID19 patient is discharged and on the road to recovery," the tweet read.

Steve Perry, former frontman from Journey, took to Twitter with his own thoughts on the hospital's novel message of hope, stating "We're all in this together, and we'll get through this together. #DontStopBelievin."

Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital has adopted the same protocol, as things seem particularly dire there. As of Monday (March 14), over 900 Henry Ford Health System employees had tested positive for COVID-19, according to The Detroit News.

"The song is a sign of hope, a reminder to patients to never give up and a motivational thank-you to tired, never-stop-trying team members," said Veronica Hall, Henry Ford Hospital president.

She noted that Journey's hit was selected as the victory song of choice because of long and hard days with "many losses and unprecedented stress." But patients are managing to come out on the other side. It looks like this message of hope is working.