Last March, as the coronavirus pandemic was just starting to make its way through the

U.S.

Officials in New Jersey learned of a COVID-19 outbreak in a long-term care facility, and

they did something unusual.

They decided to evacuate 78 residents and move them someplace new.

Medical personnel and protective gear were busy Wednesday morning, willing out nearly

80 residents who live in St. Joseph's senior nursing home in Woodbridge.

That day, March 25th, Eva Kasaba watched it all from a parking lot across the street.

There were, you know, the large ambulance buses, helicopters overhead.

There were yellow hazmat suits with, you know, the face shields.

Kasaba was watching to see if her mother, Anne Gentile, was one of dozens of elderly

residents being moved from the facility.

But she didn't actually see her mom until later on the evening news.

Her residents who are in their late babies in early 90s will be taken.

Her hand was on her forehead, like her finger spread.

And, you know, you can interpret it as, oh my God, what's happening?

Where are we going?

What's this all about?

I mean, that picture tells a thousand words.

And now this place is blocked off by law enforcement, waiting to be sanitized and disinfected.

What no one knew back in March is that within days, nearly half the people being loaded

into ambulance buses outside St. Joe's would be dead.

...