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Seeing patients - both remotely and in person - has led to a few insights about the pandemics effect on people - especially the elderly.
1) This has impacted the elderly in ways that you would not think.
They know they are higher risk
Their families know it
1) This has impacted the elderly in ways that you would not think.
They know they are higher risk
Their families know it
This leads to treating them like the "boy in the bubble". They are shunned for their own protection. It is isolating
2) Time moves at a much different rate for the elderly and they view life differently. Cost/benefit analysis is constant.
2) Time moves at a much different rate for the elderly and they view life differently. Cost/benefit analysis is constant.
I told a 95 y/o patient she had a long recovery ahead of her. She did not like the sound of that. She died the next day. Doubtful it was coincidence
In that vein, people who have limited time do not want to spend it like this. It's not about killing grandma for the dow
In that vein, people who have limited time do not want to spend it like this. It's not about killing grandma for the dow
It's about living life when they are alive. That is why that Texas lt. gov said he would sacrifice his life for the economy. It's not the economy. It's about preserving a way of life in this country that makes it worth living - and it's sad for those w experience to see it go
3) The elderly notice the reckless behavior. They are shut in- physical and emotional prisoners - and can't understand the lack of courtesy. Wearing a mask may or may not make a big difference- but other than "shelter in place" it's the best we got
Congregating in large numbers without masks sends the signal that their suffering is not important. That the problems of the old are not " my " problems and "they can just shut in and I won't visit them." To the vulnerable, it can feel like no one cares.
4) And finally - our leaders - political and public health- have lost credibility.
We sacrificed immensely as a society to ride out this pandemic - only to have officials endorse massive protests - only to have the same officials scream at us for "opening up"
We sacrificed immensely as a society to ride out this pandemic - only to have officials endorse massive protests - only to have the same officials scream at us for "opening up"
You can shop here but not there. You are essential but you are not. Initially we were willing to give our leaders a wide berth, but their admonishing couldn't be more hollow.
And every public health blue check makes a point to tell me how terrible Trump is.
And every public health blue check makes a point to tell me how terrible Trump is.
And how we "need a national strategy."
I saw first hand how terrible this illness is. I had patients die from it.
It crushed my local hospital
Time will tell us how the feds failed
I have no problem believing that the abundant flaws of our POTUS may have exacerbated it
I saw first hand how terrible this illness is. I had patients die from it.
It crushed my local hospital
Time will tell us how the feds failed
I have no problem believing that the abundant flaws of our POTUS may have exacerbated it
But I have an issue with public health experts offering little other than pearl clutching shrieks of disdain and not acknowledging the other burdens that have been shouldered by the public.
We can't count on a vaccine
We can hope for attenuation
But ultimately it will be up to normal citizens to act appropriately, distance and mask, and be shown some respect as we try to make a life coexisting with this force of nature.
We can hope for attenuation
But ultimately it will be up to normal citizens to act appropriately, distance and mask, and be shown some respect as we try to make a life coexisting with this force of nature.
