Providing Healthcare On The Front Lines
All of our lives have changed dramatically over the last few weeks as the COVID 19 pandemic has evolved. We face an issue of enormous scale that affects every part of our world. Over the past month, I witnessed this unfold while working in the pulmonary medical ICU at a large academic medical center. Showing up to work began to feel increasingly frightening especially during a time when others were going into isolation and news began to circulate about colleagues losing their lives while serving in the trenches, some without proper support from their administration and/or equipment to protect themselves.
This past week was National Doctors Day, a time when we pay tribute to physicians for their commitment to the profession and patients. Although our worlds have been turned upside down by coronavirus, we as physicians have united as one team, fighting in this war against humanity. To all my colleagues out there risking your lives and fighting for your patients – I’m endlessly proud to stand with you all, today and always. Take a moment to tag/thank a healthcare provider, and please advocate for these fellow humans who have dedicated their lives to saving yours!
How You Can Help
To those who have been engaging in social distancing and avoid non-essential interactions, thank you for helping to reduce the spread of this disease. We are all dealing with the frustrations of foiled plans, inconveniences of limited items in our stores, as well as the social and financial implications of this pandemic. Yet in all of this I hope there are new found opportunities engage in family time, self-care, reflection, and perhaps acquire or reconnect with hobbies/other interests that have been lost in the daily hustle and bustle we all experience.
For anyone who would like to help further (in addition to social distancing)- donating PPE, supporting local businesses, sponsoring meals for groups in need such as the homeless or those in underserved communities, and avoiding unnecessary clinic or ED visits/making use of telemedicine are all great ways to show your support. We all have the ability to make a greater impact on humankind and help each other get through this. Stay safe everyone!
Preetha Kamath, PGY1 TY Resident going into Dermatology
Instagram: @pri.derm
This is an excellent article by Dr. Kamath. Thank you for sharing!