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Superstar
So these are some first hand accounts from two of my cousins (both doctors) and their thoughts on the covid-19 pandemic (they published this on their social media accounts). Just thought I would share for those that are not taking it seriously, or think it's being overblown in the media. For all intents and purposes, I will just call them Rick and Joe. I may edit these out later, so read now to understand the seriousness of the situation at hand.
#socialdistance - THIS IS MY DOCTOR HAT ON (I usually try to keep this one off outside of clinical settings however covid is serious enough).
First off...793 people died in Italy in the past 24 HOURS!!!
I spent a little more time than usual watching the news today and am a little bothered. Clips of people partying and at beaches. Not sure if anyone cares but this is what's going on in my head as someone who will have to take care of these patients. It may (or may not...I'm not sure) be a slightly different mental exercise than for those who are not in the medical field.
I didn't realize how many people are NOT taking social distancing seriously. Man... we're in for a rude awakening if we don't slow this spread. It's NOT propaganda and America is NOT immune to suffering the way Italy is suffering now.
Look, I'm no covid expert but I am a lung and ICU doctor. I haven't had a covid patient (yet) but like any other doc (in particular docs that deal with critical patients) I've sat at bedsides and watched a lot of family members cry as they watch they're loved ones die. It's NOT a pretty scene. It's very difficult to sit next to a patient, give it your all and watch them die knowing there's nothing more you can do.
I'm all about our liberties, freedoms, and business prosperity, BUT I'm also highly confident that's not going to matter to any of us one bit if covid is killing people in our communities the same way it is in Italy. We can't wait until it's too late to do the right thing. I don't want people to lose businesses etc. BUT I'd rather people not lose their lives and that's exactly what's going to happen if we don't get a grip of things early.
And on a selfish note, I am fully aware that as an ICU doctor, if covid hits my area hard, there's a very real chance I myself might get it along with my friends and colleagues. If it does hit us, best case scenario is I'll (and others taking care of covid patients) be isolated from my family for weeks if not months to make sure I can't transmit it to them. While all this seems theoretical to a lot of people, the text messages and conversations in the medical circles are focused on strategies to care for a surge of patients in the event that people don't take heed to this advice and our healthcare infrastructure goes into crisis. We signed up for this when we decided to go into medicine so we're 100% in and ready to care for people. I'd just rather it be because we couldn't control the virus instead of it being because people didn't listen to those who study these things day in and day out and make recommendations with the intent of preventing disaster.
Praying for for the patients, families, healthcare workers, government officials dealing with this. God's in control.
#socialdistance
First off...793 people died in Italy in the past 24 HOURS!!!
I spent a little more time than usual watching the news today and am a little bothered. Clips of people partying and at beaches. Not sure if anyone cares but this is what's going on in my head as someone who will have to take care of these patients. It may (or may not...I'm not sure) be a slightly different mental exercise than for those who are not in the medical field.
I didn't realize how many people are NOT taking social distancing seriously. Man... we're in for a rude awakening if we don't slow this spread. It's NOT propaganda and America is NOT immune to suffering the way Italy is suffering now.
Look, I'm no covid expert but I am a lung and ICU doctor. I haven't had a covid patient (yet) but like any other doc (in particular docs that deal with critical patients) I've sat at bedsides and watched a lot of family members cry as they watch they're loved ones die. It's NOT a pretty scene. It's very difficult to sit next to a patient, give it your all and watch them die knowing there's nothing more you can do.
I'm all about our liberties, freedoms, and business prosperity, BUT I'm also highly confident that's not going to matter to any of us one bit if covid is killing people in our communities the same way it is in Italy. We can't wait until it's too late to do the right thing. I don't want people to lose businesses etc. BUT I'd rather people not lose their lives and that's exactly what's going to happen if we don't get a grip of things early.
And on a selfish note, I am fully aware that as an ICU doctor, if covid hits my area hard, there's a very real chance I myself might get it along with my friends and colleagues. If it does hit us, best case scenario is I'll (and others taking care of covid patients) be isolated from my family for weeks if not months to make sure I can't transmit it to them. While all this seems theoretical to a lot of people, the text messages and conversations in the medical circles are focused on strategies to care for a surge of patients in the event that people don't take heed to this advice and our healthcare infrastructure goes into crisis. We signed up for this when we decided to go into medicine so we're 100% in and ready to care for people. I'd just rather it be because we couldn't control the virus instead of it being because people didn't listen to those who study these things day in and day out and make recommendations with the intent of preventing disaster.
Praying for for the patients, families, healthcare workers, government officials dealing with this. God's in control.
#socialdistance
Today has been rough. To hear that the first covid death in the area was a good friend of mine tore through my soul. A healthy, intelligent, kind young man.
I never like to make these posts but as I drove home from clinic and saw the streets full of cars like any other day, I felt it was my duty to speak on this. I've had a number of patients over the past few weeks tell me they don't think this is really that serious. Some are understandably upset that they can't have an elective procedure done or that their appointments are being rescheduled. I've conducted a number of telemedicine visits this week and I can't help but notice the older individuals are at home and a good number of the younger individuals have been driving around at the time of the visit.
Yes, these times are inconvenient but this virus is very serious and it'll only continue to damage our communities and take more lives of those we love. We must stay home. It has to be a collective effort.
My buddy was only 44. He was a husband, father of 6 and Sunday school teacher. He was one of the kindest individuals I've ever met. The type that never knew a stranger and who would drop everything to help out. We played ball and lifted weights together. He loved to check on my son and tell me how great fatherhood is. He loved his family. He was full of life and energy. He will be missed by all who he ever met. Rest in perfect peace brother.
If you know anyone not taking this seriously, please do your best to straighten them out. Please stay home like your life depended on it.
I never like to make these posts but as I drove home from clinic and saw the streets full of cars like any other day, I felt it was my duty to speak on this. I've had a number of patients over the past few weeks tell me they don't think this is really that serious. Some are understandably upset that they can't have an elective procedure done or that their appointments are being rescheduled. I've conducted a number of telemedicine visits this week and I can't help but notice the older individuals are at home and a good number of the younger individuals have been driving around at the time of the visit.
Yes, these times are inconvenient but this virus is very serious and it'll only continue to damage our communities and take more lives of those we love. We must stay home. It has to be a collective effort.
My buddy was only 44. He was a husband, father of 6 and Sunday school teacher. He was one of the kindest individuals I've ever met. The type that never knew a stranger and who would drop everything to help out. We played ball and lifted weights together. He loved to check on my son and tell me how great fatherhood is. He loved his family. He was full of life and energy. He will be missed by all who he ever met. Rest in perfect peace brother.
If you know anyone not taking this seriously, please do your best to straighten them out. Please stay home like your life depended on it.
