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Bringing firebrands post over here...

This just appeared on Facebook about Staten Island but it applies to all:

This is from a Doctor here on Staten Island , this isn’t a joke control your kids people !!!!!!!
Dear Staten Island,

SARS-CoV2 did NOT disappear because the weather is nice today. It is absolutely infuriating to leave the hospital and see half of the island out and about as I drive down Hylan Blvd. Windows down? Bikes out? Headed to the park? Going for a stroll? Going out to get a bite to eat? Are you kidding me?

Let me tell you about what is actually happening on Staten Island, and we will keep it to just this week...

1) My hospital is almost entirely filled with COVID-19 patients. The only non-COVID unit left is our Oncology Unit. If you or your loved one needs admission for whatever reason, exposure and contraction of the disease is significantly increased.

2) There is legitimate concern about running out of ventilators. We were pretty close to being out as of a day or so ago. Patients are staying in the vents ~2 weeks, and eventually they will be maxed out if we don’t slow this down. No explanation needed.

3) The “elderly at risk” includes a 30 year old that was intubated today with no past medical history. This may be anecdotal evidence, however, the average age of intubated patients appears to be 50s-60s with no severe past medical history.

4) WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY EXTUBATED 1 PATIENT IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS. Just one. That means the mortality of the critically-ill is through the roof despite our best efforts, with some of the best intensivists in NY on staff.

5. Every single doctor in the hospital has lost count of how many patients and families they’ve talked to about DNR/DNI.

6. In a single day, I took two nurses to the ED after collapsing during their shift.

7. Doctors, nurses, PCAs are already dropping like flies, and we haven’t come close to peaking yet.

Honestly, is staying in the comfort of your beautiful home too difficult for you?

I haven’t seen my fiancé, my family, or my friends all week because I am afraid of giving them a deadly disease after I was severely exposed to a COVID-19 patient (deceased within 48 hours). My nose and cheeks are starting to bruise from wearing a face mask for hours every day. And every healthcare worker in the hospital is sitting on edge, just waiting for their turn to get infected...

But my heart bleeds for you, because you’re going “stir crazy” while stuck in a house with the people you love most. Unreal.

Sincerely,

Your local resident physician and probably every person in heath care.