AtthedawnoftheCOVID-19pandemicin2020,NewYorkwasoneofthecitieswhereinfectionratesexplodedandthemoralityrateskyrocketed.TheFirstWavefollowsthestoriesofpeoplewhofacedgravesituationscausedbytheCoronavirus,andthedoctorsandnurseswhotriedtheirbesttosavelivesinNewYorkhospitalsfromMarchtoJuneof2020.MatthewHeinemanshowstheharshrealityandshockingtruthofthepandemicsituationatthetimeinthisdocumentary.TheFirstWaveisapowerfulandimportantdocumentarydesignedtomakeaudiencemembersappreciatemedicalworkers,notjustinNewYork,butallaroundtheworld,whodailyrisktheirlivestosavethoseofothers.