Thread

1/ Have been on wards for the past 3 weeks making it harder to keep up w/ other new developments. But today a patient told me that while we were concerned about his chief medical complaint, what *he was concerned about* was tragedy he was dealing w outside the hospital.

2/ Many times throughout the epidemic, I have felt immensely guilty knowing that as a healthcare provider, while it was not always easy, I still had it so much better than what my patients were going through. Nothing was more humbling; nothing gave me more perspective

3/ While it was hard to be away from family for months; to not see friends; to basically have my routine become home—> hospital—> home, at least I had my health. I had peace of mind. I had a roof overhead. My patients often didn’t and don’t; this eats at me.

4/ It also motivates me to get up every day & show up ready to serve. In medicine, you aren’t fighting against diseases as much as you are fighting *for people that you care about*

You don’t just leave when the clock is up. You leave when your patients are safe.

5/ I was supposed to get my vaccine tomorrow; after 10 months at this, I was looking forward to this moment.

But as the epidemic spreads, more healthcare workers around us are testing positive unknowingly. I had an unexpected workplace #covid19 exposure a day before I was...

6/ supposed to get the vaccine. This means I have to wait until I am confirmed negative first.

I am most looking forward to getting vaccine so that I know I will have protection from severe disease so I can keep going as needed as wards fill up, for both #covid19 and non-COVID.

7/ Ultimately, no matter how bad this epidemic gets, the last thing we will ever do is give up on our patients; so know that we will be there for you. And we are motivated by the bravery of those we are caring for. Many are both battling for their health & much more as well.