“I Feel Like I’m Going To War”
My husband, on occasion, will put a tube down a patient’s throat and attach it to a ventilator when they aren’t able to breathe. It’s a life-saving procedure. You see, he is a specialist in critical care focusing on patients with neurologic disease. But as of Monday, he will be on the front lines manning a dedicated intensive care unit, along with many others, in preparation for the inevitable surge of critically ill patients with COVID-19. The problem is, there aren’t enough doctors with expertise in critical care anywhere in the country to take care of the rising number of cases.
My heart sank when he broke the news to me. I surely thought all of us would take the CDC guidelines of social distancing seriously, keep the COVID-19 cases at a manageable level, and life would go back to normal after a few months. Instead, I feel scared, anxious and disappointed, but I also feel also incredibly proud of all the courageous men and women who are fighting this pandemic since the day it began.
As we sit at home doing our part to social distance, I watched my husband diligently discuss the latest medical literature and compare experiences with colleagues all over the country who are being pulled to the front lines. When I looked at his face, I couldn’t figure out what he was feeling. I finally asked him if he’s scared. He said “No. It feels like I’m going to war, and I am trying to get pumped up.” It was reassuring to hear he wasn’t scared, but we both know he’s at risk.
Don’t Be A COV-IDIOT
Hearing that my husband feels like he is going to war gives me an uneasy feeling. Doctors, nurses, EMTs, and many others are stepping up to the plate because not everyone is taking COVID-19 seriously. While half of us are making a huge effort to social distance and follow CDC guidelines, there are people doing the exact opposite. I am seeing crowded weddings. I am seeing young “invincible” kids partying at spring break. I am seeing large family gatherings at home. I am seeing people continue to travel to other countries and potentially carry the virus overseas. People have an “it won’t happen to me” mentality. I cannot emphasize it enough that it CAN happen to you. This is not media hype. This is not a drill. Just ask Josh Anderson of New Orleans, whose longtime partner Natasha Ott was found dead in the kitchen at age 39. And if it doesn’t happen to you, it will happen to someone you breathed on while you were on vacation chomping on your avocado toast. Kevin Liu from Sydney, Australia posted a great flowchart to help clear any confusion:
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Well written, really open my eyes to the gravity of the situation the loved ones of medics are facing.