Well said, sir. As an RN knee deep in the Covid response since March 2020, I can assure you my colleagues and I are exhausted and disheartened. There have been so many needless deaths, it's the equivalent of mass suicide.
Well said, sir. As an RN knee deep in the Covid response since March 2020, I can assure you my colleagues and I are exhausted and disheartened. There have been so many needless deaths, it's the equivalent of mass suicide.
Stepping into the language of my former career, I think that while this could be described as mass "suicide", I suspect that there might be a strong case for "mass homicide" in places like Floriduh and Texass (along with some others, but those were the only two I could think of clever misspellings for.)
Southern Oregon, according to the O, is one the nation's hot spots. I was on a thread yesterday with some locals and some of them were opposing mandates, while speaking about the need in some places for field hospitals. One person tried to turn it into a argument about abortion. I had to work hard to remain polite.
That is amazing to me too. A lot of these people are the same people who have complained from the beginning about lockdowns, masks, vaccines, other protocols.
I grew up in Southern Oregon, I have family there still. Those folks are nigh onto crazy. My sister works at a large discount grocer, and is constantly berated about requirements fo shopping there (masks/distancing) that are government mandated. My ex sister-in-law is 10 days out of hospital following a hospitalization for Covid (anti vaccination). They are lunatics.
I have always seen it as place that is beyond the pale and often beyond the law. I just read an article this week about illegal marijuana grows there. I thinking now of the Illinois Valley area. My sojourns to southern Oregon have been to Ashland and Jacksonville and the beautiful awesome Crater Lake. Think we also visited the Oregon Caves. I can't imagine living there. I grew up in northern Indiana and many of my ex-classmates are Trumpers.
Ally, when I first read "...I could think of clever misspellings for," I immediately thought you meant "cleaver." That would be a way of committing suicide. It surely would be a way done by the Taliban.
This made me cry. My nursing colleagues are experiencing moral distress at a magnitude never felt before. Wearing full PPE (not a simple face mask but a tight N95 filter mask, with a respirator hood, covered head to toe in an impermeable gown, gloves, and booties) for 12+ hours, being the surrogate for families at the bedside who can only say their goodbyes to a loved one via an iPad or telephone... this is not work for the feint of heart. We are warriors, indeed, but we are tired. Nurses have been the most trusted profession in America for over 20 years, yet we are now mocked, called 'sheep', and vilified. Our frustration and anger arises from the willful behavior of those who should know better (politicians, and yes, even some renegade health professionals) who have stymied the conquest of this pandemic. I used to believe we were a better people than this, but the truth is now out there.
Wearing full PPE for 12 hours is akin to torture, IMHO. And doing it to care for folks who declined to protect themselves rubs salt into the sacrifice.
My mom was an RN why back when 1930s etc. worked in poorer section of NYC as a public health nurse. # Cannot imagine the sheer frustration alone in being denigrated for DOING YOUR JOB & saving peoples lives. There should be an actual true public outroar towards these people who truly ARE sheep - allowing it to go on & treating all of this as if it were "one side" of the issue - rather than the absolute CAUSE of this pandemic right now is just asinine! Of course you & your colleagues wear full PPE! Thank God for that. The thought (or lack of) process in these individuals - whether "politicians" or folks who follow behind? Beyond belief. Thank you and all others for doing your humane jobs. (sorry not putting as well as I should)
This work is extremely physically demanding in ordinary times. To be doing it in full PPE is beyond description. I only occasionally have to put all that on for a half hour or so at a time to test an ill student and I can barely stand it. I DO NOT know how you and your colleagues are doing it 12+ hours a day over and over and over again. It's incredibly concerning to me that so many nurses are not getting vaccinated themselves, which contributes to others not trusting the vaccine either. So not only are some of us exhausted in every way by the work, but there is also the tension of knowing some of your colleagues, maybe many, depending on where you work, are contributing to the problem. But we bite our tongues for the sake of not making morale any worse.
Well, as of yesterday, with FDA approval of Phizer vaccine, hospitals & nursing homes, schools as well as many other businesses can now make it a condition of employment to get vaccinated. Especially in the health care field is this necessary.
Yes, and I caught a bit of an excellent Q&A session on Maine public radio this afternoon in which the doctor being fielded questions was asked about the mandate in Maine for HCWs to be vaccinated. He very calmly and reasonably explained that for many years being vaccinated and/or tested for several diseases we could unknowingly give to colleagues or patients has been a condition of employment and Covid-19 and the associated vaccines are no different. He maintained that it is still a personal choice; one can choose to accept the conditions of employment or go elsewhere. Loved the low key no nonsense approach.
Just try to remember there are many of us out here who admire, respect and think of you often. Please pass on to your colleagues that you are appreciated and are amazing!
Well said, sir. As an RN knee deep in the Covid response since March 2020, I can assure you my colleagues and I are exhausted and disheartened. There have been so many needless deaths, it's the equivalent of mass suicide.
Stepping into the language of my former career, I think that while this could be described as mass "suicide", I suspect that there might be a strong case for "mass homicide" in places like Floriduh and Texass (along with some others, but those were the only two I could think of clever misspellings for.)
I have said this before here: Florida Gov and the man he is emulating should be charged with Crimes Against Humanity.
Yes! Mass murder.
Oh, and blessings to you and your "tribe": thank you for all you are doing for all of us.
Southern Oregon, according to the O, is one the nation's hot spots. I was on a thread yesterday with some locals and some of them were opposing mandates, while speaking about the need in some places for field hospitals. One person tried to turn it into a argument about abortion. I had to work hard to remain polite.
It's stunning how disconnected some people see their CHOICE from the consequences.
That is amazing to me too. A lot of these people are the same people who have complained from the beginning about lockdowns, masks, vaccines, other protocols.
I grew up in Southern Oregon, I have family there still. Those folks are nigh onto crazy. My sister works at a large discount grocer, and is constantly berated about requirements fo shopping there (masks/distancing) that are government mandated. My ex sister-in-law is 10 days out of hospital following a hospitalization for Covid (anti vaccination). They are lunatics.
I have always seen it as place that is beyond the pale and often beyond the law. I just read an article this week about illegal marijuana grows there. I thinking now of the Illinois Valley area. My sojourns to southern Oregon have been to Ashland and Jacksonville and the beautiful awesome Crater Lake. Think we also visited the Oregon Caves. I can't imagine living there. I grew up in northern Indiana and many of my ex-classmates are Trumpers.
On my goodness. You are amazing
There IS sort of a comparison that could be made there but not worth the effort is it?
Choice, right? Masking can be a choice, but not abortion...
Jawjah? We have a Moron In Charge, who's leaving masks and vaccines up to the populace, who "have good sense." Maybe not, since our cases are spiking.
Exactly!
Ally, when I first read "...I could think of clever misspellings for," I immediately thought you meant "cleaver." That would be a way of committing suicide. It surely would be a way done by the Taliban.
With gratitude, admiration, and the wish that people wake up and get the shot.
thank you, me too!
May I suggest you read Dan Rather's letter:
https://steady.substack.com/p/dear-american-healthcare-workers/comments
This made me cry. My nursing colleagues are experiencing moral distress at a magnitude never felt before. Wearing full PPE (not a simple face mask but a tight N95 filter mask, with a respirator hood, covered head to toe in an impermeable gown, gloves, and booties) for 12+ hours, being the surrogate for families at the bedside who can only say their goodbyes to a loved one via an iPad or telephone... this is not work for the feint of heart. We are warriors, indeed, but we are tired. Nurses have been the most trusted profession in America for over 20 years, yet we are now mocked, called 'sheep', and vilified. Our frustration and anger arises from the willful behavior of those who should know better (politicians, and yes, even some renegade health professionals) who have stymied the conquest of this pandemic. I used to believe we were a better people than this, but the truth is now out there.
Wearing full PPE for 12 hours is akin to torture, IMHO. And doing it to care for folks who declined to protect themselves rubs salt into the sacrifice.
My mom was an RN why back when 1930s etc. worked in poorer section of NYC as a public health nurse. # Cannot imagine the sheer frustration alone in being denigrated for DOING YOUR JOB & saving peoples lives. There should be an actual true public outroar towards these people who truly ARE sheep - allowing it to go on & treating all of this as if it were "one side" of the issue - rather than the absolute CAUSE of this pandemic right now is just asinine! Of course you & your colleagues wear full PPE! Thank God for that. The thought (or lack of) process in these individuals - whether "politicians" or folks who follow behind? Beyond belief. Thank you and all others for doing your humane jobs. (sorry not putting as well as I should)
This work is extremely physically demanding in ordinary times. To be doing it in full PPE is beyond description. I only occasionally have to put all that on for a half hour or so at a time to test an ill student and I can barely stand it. I DO NOT know how you and your colleagues are doing it 12+ hours a day over and over and over again. It's incredibly concerning to me that so many nurses are not getting vaccinated themselves, which contributes to others not trusting the vaccine either. So not only are some of us exhausted in every way by the work, but there is also the tension of knowing some of your colleagues, maybe many, depending on where you work, are contributing to the problem. But we bite our tongues for the sake of not making morale any worse.
Well, as of yesterday, with FDA approval of Phizer vaccine, hospitals & nursing homes, schools as well as many other businesses can now make it a condition of employment to get vaccinated. Especially in the health care field is this necessary.
Yes, and I caught a bit of an excellent Q&A session on Maine public radio this afternoon in which the doctor being fielded questions was asked about the mandate in Maine for HCWs to be vaccinated. He very calmly and reasonably explained that for many years being vaccinated and/or tested for several diseases we could unknowingly give to colleagues or patients has been a condition of employment and Covid-19 and the associated vaccines are no different. He maintained that it is still a personal choice; one can choose to accept the conditions of employment or go elsewhere. Loved the low key no nonsense approach.
Just try to remember there are many of us out here who admire, respect and think of you often. Please pass on to your colleagues that you are appreciated and are amazing!
Thank you
Thanks, really good intelligent read.
I read your comment, Nancy, too quickly and thought the last sentence said "needle-less" deaths. Same thing, actually.
true that, so to speak!
with admiration and peace.
Thank you
I know you've done your best. This pandemic has certainly shown us who are reasonably sane and heroic. Thank you for being you.
I cannot even imagine. Thank you.
thank you
Exactly ЁЯТп