Hello,
I was going to post something about protein today, and no you do not need more of it to boost your immune system, but decided share some thoughts on what I experienced at the hospital today.
I needed to see a few patients, neither of which were suspicious for covid infection but both with airway/nasal issues which immediately put me as an ENT doc at risk. I was nervous to begin with and the atmosphere at the hospital certainly does not help. The mood at the hospital is definitely one of elevated, understandable and justified frustration, concern and paranoia.
I asked for a mask and was told that I could only get one from the nursing supervisor who was doling them out because of dwindling supplies. The staff is told to reuse and conserve, once thought to be unhygienic, but now acceptable and necessary. The stress level is palpable.
Everything you touch is a potential source of contamination. Phones, keyboards, mouse, Dictaphone, not to mention the obvious ones like the poor patients. You feel contaminated just walking around. The staff look overworked and tired.
Although a test for covid is available, at this hospital, as is the case at all our local hospitals, it is a send out and takes 10 days to come back! If the reagent were available, the test would literally done on site taking only 15-30 minutes to get a result! Just like the flu test. Because of this, anyone who is tested in the hospital sits there until the results are back. In many cases, these patients could have been discharged out of the hospital but instead, must stay in, using up valuable resources someone really sick could use.
One of the patients I saw today is a perfect example. He had an emergency airway procedure because of an obstructing cancer (don’t smoke by the way) 1 week ago. He should have been transferred to a University Hospital last Friday for definitive treatment (too complex for me) but because the test was ordered, he is still sitting around waiting for the result before they will accept him.
I guess the point of all this rambling is jut to highlight a few things:
1) Keep the front-line workers in your thoughts and prayers. This does not only include providers, but all the nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, cleaning staff … who are around these patients constantly. It also includes the first responders like police and ambulance workers as well as all those who provide all the essential services like grocery stores and pharmacies. Even give a thought to those who picked the food which eventually make it to your plate. It’s amazing how many people we rely on to live our comfortable lives. They are all important.
2) STAY HOME. Not only to avoid getting, or spreading covid, but to avoid other problems which might land you in the doctors office or ER where you really might get sick. Staying home is not only safer, it shows respect for what many out there are dealing with.
3) While at home, keep your stress levels and health overall in check. Exercise, move, engage your mind, practice yoga, meditate, love your family, reach out to isolated family and friends… do the things which make you happy, healthy and relaxed. This is also an opportunity to learn or work on something new or neglected. Internal or external. If nothing else, clean out the kids room!
Oh, and eat your fruits and veggies!!!
Stay safe and be well.
ac