The time is now
The year of 2020 will forever be known as the year of the pandemic. There are varying opinions out there as to why, how and whether it is politically based or not, but the fact is that COVID is here and it is real.
For many of you that have COVID, it might mean simple cold- and flu-like symptoms. For others, it may mean nausea, vomiting, low-grade fevers and diarrhea. And for some of you, it may include all of the symptoms including loss of the sense of taste and smell.
The long-term effects of COVID have significant irreparable lung scarring and possibly lifetime home oxygen therapy. The road to recovery from COVID is long, and the effects of COVID-related illnesses remain to be seen. For those select individuals, COVID is deadly and life altering. The victims of COVID have been our friends, family and patients that have become a part of the hospital staff family. I can’t help to think and be left with the question, “Would they still be here if they didn’t get COVID?”
For the essential health care workers, it has brought about emotional and physical feelings that tug at our very heart strings every shift we work. The hours that drive the care we provide is at times far more emotionally tiring than physically exhausting. Because family members can’t be at the patient’s side, we become the patient’s surrogate family. Not only do we provide medical support, we also provide emotional support.
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