TUESDAY July 7, 2020: LOOKING GLASS: BIRTH IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS, by ZUMA Press Newspaper San Antonio Express-News's 2015 Pulitzer finalist and recently NPPA's coveted Morris Berman Citation winner, photojournalist extraordinary Jerry Lara and Investigative Team Reporter Hawaiian native Marina Starleaf Riker, 2018 Texas Star Reporter of the Year, excel together on special projects. This zReportage they tackle pregnancy in COVID-19 new normal world.'The only thing standing between us is this glass,' Alex Benavidez told his wife, Kayla, as they grappled with COVID-19 restrictions during the birth of their daughter. The pandemic has spurred striking precautions in delivery rooms across Texas. COVID-19 restrictions meant that Kayla and Alex Benavidez couldn't be in together during the birth of their second daughter. Instead Alex had to be outside, looking in through a window. Among Kayla's first words to newborn Luna were that her dad was waiting right outside. Welcome to: The Looking Glass: BIRTH IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS.
© zReportage.com Story of the Week #744: TUESDAY July 7, 2020: LOOKING GLASS: BIRTH IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS, by ZUMA Press Newspaper San Antonio Express-News's 2015 Pulitzer finalist and recently NPPA's coveted Morris Berman Citation winner, photojournalist extraordinary Jerry Lara and Investigative Team Reporter Hawaiian native Marina Starleaf Riker, 2018 Texas Star Reporter of the Year, excel together on special projects. This zReportage they tackle pregnancy in COVID-19 new normal world.'The only thing standing between us is this glass,' Alex Benavidez told his wife, Kayla, as they grappled with COVID-19 restrictions during the birth of their daughter. The pandemic has spurred striking precautions in delivery rooms across Texas. COVID-19 restrictions meant that Kayla and Alex Benavidez couldn't be in together during the birth of their second daughter. Instead Alex had to be outside, looking in through a window. Among Kayla's first words to newborn Luna were that her dad was waiting right outside. Welcome to: The Looking Glass: BIRTH IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS.
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, communicates with his wife, KAYLA, 31, through smartphones as he waits outside Uvalde Memorial Hospital in Texas. Due to coronavirus concerns, the hospital will not admit visitors, including spouses, during delivery of babies. Tents are set up outside the three maternity rooms of the hospital where fathers can witness the birth through the glass windows. The couple is from Rocksprings, Texas. She delivered, Luna Rose, that afternoon at 5:20 p.m.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
A reflection of ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, is seen on the window as he communicates with his wife, KAYLA, 31, in a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. The two were expecting a baby girl, Luna Rose, and she was having contractions. After she was examined for several hours, they were sent back home to Rocksprings, Texas, an hour and a half away. Due to coronavirus concerns, the hospital will not admit visitors, including spouses, during delivery of babies.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, communicates with his wife, KAYLA, 31, through smartphones as he waits outside Uvalde Memorial Hospital. Due to coronavirus concerns, the hospital will not admit visitors, including spouses, during delivery of babies.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, waits outside as his wife, Kayla, 31, is attended to in a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital in Uvalde. Tents are set up outside the three maternity rooms of the hospital where fathers can witness the birth through the glass windows.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, communicates with his wife, KAYLA, 31, through a glass window of a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital in Uvalde. She delivered, baby Luna Rose, at 5:20 p.m.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, waits outside Uvalde Memorial Hospital in Texas, as his wife, Kayla, 31, talks with staff in a maternity room.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, leans in to listen to his wife, Kayla, 31, live streaming, as he sits in his truck outside Uvalde Memorial Hospital. She was in a maternity room at the hospital expecting their second girl, Luna Rose.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, waits outside as his wife, KAYLA, 31, is attended to in a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, watches the birth of his daughter, LUNA ROSE, through the glass windows of a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. His wife, Kayla, 31, gave birth at 5:20 p.m. with Dr. DAVID WHITE assisting in the birth.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, watches the birth of his daughter, LUNA ROSE, through the glass windows of a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, 'gives a thumbs up' as he watches the birth of his daughter, LUNA ROSE, through the glass windows of a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. His wife, KAYLA, 31, gave birth at 5:20 p.m.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, watches the birth of his daughter, LUNA ROSE, through the glass windows of a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. His wife, Kayla, 31, gave birth at 5:20 p.m.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, and his wife, KAYLA, 31, make eye contact as she holds their newborn baby, Luna Rose, in a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital in Texas.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
A reflection of ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, is seen on the window as he communicates with his pregnant wife, KAYLA, 31, in a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, is joined by close family friend, DONNA WILLIAMS, to see his newborn daughter, LUNA ROSE, at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. Alex was able to watch the birth of his daughter through a window in the maternity room where his wife, Kayla, 31, gave birth. The hospital has a no visitor rule due to coronavirus concerns but lets the spouses watch through the window.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, watches as Dr. DAVID WHITE hands LUNA ROSE to his wife, KAYLA, 31, in a maternity room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. Luna Rose was born at 5:20 p.m.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, kisses his wife, KAYLA, 30, as they leave Uvalde Memorial Hospital, with their newborn daughter, Luna Rose. Alex had to witness the birth from the outside of the hospital through a glass window in the maternity room.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
Over 24 hours later, ALEX BENAVIDEZ, 35, gets see his newborn baby girl, LUNA ROSE, after his wife, Kayla, 31, is released from Hospital. Alex witnessed the birth of his daughter from the outside of the hospital through a glass window as a precaution due to coronavirus concerns.
© Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire
