BALTIMORE (WJZ) – More than 10,000 Marylanders have now died from COVID-19 after a year and a half of grueling, heartbreaking and often discouraging work for doctors, nurses and therapists on the front lines of the battle against the virus.

And they are literally exhausted.

READ MORE: ‘It’s really unfortunate’: Anne Arundel County students react to announcement of postponement of end of year balls

“My colleagues and across the country, nurses, respiratory therapists and doctors, everyone across the spectrum, they are tired and exhausted,” said Louie Lee, senior intensive care nurse at Shock Trauma. “They are mentally broken in a way that I don’t think anyone has had a chance to face.”

“It was tough,” said Michael Gray, a respiratory therapist. “A lot of people are tired and exhausted. It’s a lot to deal with.

“We are now seeing people who are young, very young and don’t have to die,” Lee said.

Lee and Gray treat the most seriously ill Covid patients – those already on a ventilator. For a year and a half, they tried to save the lives of those who, if they survive, will likely have lasting effects from the disease.

READ MORE: Westminster Police seek public assistance in identifying bank robbery suspect

“The sickest of the sick are not all vaccinated. I haven’t had a single patient vaccinated that was close to death, ”Gray said.

The hardest part, says Lee, is knowing that more deaths could have been prevented.

“Initially seeing all the people when there was no vaccines come in and die in front of you, feeling like you can’t help them was what I think we initially thought was the darkest time, ”Lee said. “But now that the vaccine is available and we have started to break through and unfortunately back down.”

Gray had simple advice for those who haven’t yet been vaccinated.

NO MORE NEWS: Crews at Baltimore County fire scene

“Don’t wait until it’s too late,” said Gray. “I know a lot of people would like to be vaccinated once they are very sick. Do not wait.