It’s been a little longer between posts than usual. Since the coronavirus pandemic started (COVID-19 is the name of the disease!), it’s been a crazy world of changes, emotions, and re-adjustments. I wanted to wait a little bit before I wrote something, so I could let all my emotions settle.I don’t think anyone in the United States ever thought this would happen. We lived through SARS, H1N1, and even Ebola outbreaks without major changes to our daily lives. I can only speak for myself, but I thought the US had a plan for something like this. I am lucky to work in a place full of resources and as fast as everyone started working on creating a proper response, it still took a few weeks for something cohesive to come together. The medical community is truly scared.
I am not a frontline clinician since I don’t work in the ED, ICU, or primary care. My heart breaks every day that goes by that people don’t take recommendations seriously and that my friends and colleagues are not properly protected. I don’t only think about doctors but of course, also nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, Child life, CNAs, front desk staff, environmental services, and everyone that works in a hospital. I am also thankful for people that continue to go work to keep grocery stores open, restaurants, pharmacies, delivery people, nannies, and all other essential services.
I have decided to focus on the good and what I can control while still living in the middle of a lot of uncertainty.
These are some of the questions in my head:
How long will this go for? Will they need all doctors to become frontline? Will I know what to do if that happens? Will I have to leave my family to protect them? How will my loved ones and my profession be affected? How long until we can all see family and friends?
I don’t know any of those answers. What I do know is that I can continue to see patients, whether new or follow-up, to keep them out of the ER and the hospital. I will continue to sign petitions to demand legislation that will protect the medical community but also our economy and small businesses. I will stay home as much as I can but I will also do my part to support the medical community and patients and be there when they need me. I will take care of myself and my family.
This pandemic will pass. We won’t know the full extent of it until it’s done. We do know most people won’t get critically ill, which is why it is so important to do our part to protect those who won’t and to not overwhelm the system, which unfortunately has already happened in some states.
This is not a post about medical facts about COVID-19. These are my thoughts on what’s going on. So there you have it: stay home, focus on the things you can control, take care of yourself and your family, and remember to be grateful, especially if you can stay home with your loved ones. I know I am. These are hard times for everyone and we all must do our part.
