A previously healthy man, intubated in the intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory failure due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), required central venous access for vasopressor infusion. The intensivists were occupied managing other critically ill patients, so an available intern attempted to place a triple-lumen catheter in the right internal jugular vein using only anatomic landmarks for guidance. When the access needle was inserted, pulsatile return of blood was noted.