About a week ago I put out a request for nurses who work at Mercy Health-Anderson Hospital to contact me so that I could share their perspective from the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, no nurses from Mercy-Anderson contacted me, but two nurses who work in other major Cincinnati hospitals did.
I drafted 10 questions for them to answer, being careful not to solicit information that could jeopardize their facility’s effectiveness to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. I was clear it was not my intention to uncover a conspiracy or expose some sort of unpreparedness – I only wanted to get a human perspective from the front lines.
These are my questions and their responses.
Do you think the closings and restrictions put into place are an overreaction, under-reaction, or just about right?
Nurse 1: The closing of places is appropriate to allow the healthcare system to prepare. However, I have not seen evidence that the healthcare system is preparing in terms of equipment. For example, I haven’t heard what they are doing to obtain more ventilators to ensure we don’t have to chose who to save as other counties are having to do.
Nurse 2: I think we are doing the right thing here. We won’t be able to completely stop it but we can definitely slow the spread. Here’s the catch… Social Distancing only works if EVERYONE participates. People need to start practicing the recommendations in order to see change.
How does the pandemic make you feel personally? Are you afraid?
Nurse 1: It makes me afraid. I’m afraid one of my children will catch it and end up on a ventilator. I’m afraid my elderly mother will catch it and won’t be able to recover. I don’t even know enough about the economy impact to be scared yet, but I’m sure it will be bad.
Nurse 2: I personally feel alright. I am more worried about my sanity and mental health than I am about becoming ill. There is a chance I could get sick, but that chance always exists. I am truly worried this will go on much longer than we are all expecting.
What is the general consensus of your colleagues at the hospital? Do you sense that they are afraid? Confident?
Nurse 1: I feel like most of the nurses are concerned about how it will affect our work, such as if it will make us have to work more hours. Most nurses do not seem worried about the virus itself.
Nurse 2: I would not say my colleagues are afraid but I would also not say they are confident. We are all presented with the same information and we are all trying to make the most educated decisions that we can. We are mostly afraid of running out of protection for ourselves and running out of ventilators for patients if this hits hard and fast. No one wants to make decisions on who gets treatment and who does not.
We’re told that the coronavirus affects the elderly and the immunocompromised the most. Has that been your experience so far?
Nurse 1: It’s hard to answer this right now because most of the patients I’m seeing are not tested. I’m seeing many people hospitalized for respiratory problems that are younger, like in their 50s.
Nurse 2: Anyone can be effected by coronavirus. Just because you are healthy 20, 30, or 40 year old does not mean you will not get very sick from this. Your chances are better, however. You will likely recover with no long term complications. The elderly and immuno compromised have much higher mortality rates. If you have ANY underlying medical condition or you are a smoker you are also at a higher risk. I will add, while children are not likely to present with symptoms of corona, they are likely the highest population of carriers. Children also do not practice good hygiene and will spread this quickly. No playdates and children in public places is imperative to keeping us all healthy.
Some of us think we may have already had the coronavirus within the last month or so. We attributed it to a really bad flu, but are you aware of any evidence to support this? Could the coronavirus have been around longer than we think?
Are patients remaining calm in the hospital? Any sense of panic from patients who go to the hospital to seek treatment for what they think may be the coronoavirus?
Nurse 1: <Did not respond>
Nurse 2: I think that more and more people are wanting to be tested for symptoms that do not really “concern” us for corona. Anyone who gets a fever is immediately thinking they have the virus. We all must remain calm and self quarantine if we are sick. We need to treat the ER as it was intended… for True Emergencies.
Are you seeing an uptick in erratic behavior from mental health patients due to the pandemic?
Nurse 1: Not yet. I believe we will. I know some are making comments about the government being up to something.
Nurse 2: I unfortunately cannot answer this …. outside of my expertise.
How is your family reacting to your duties? Are they worried? Proud?
Nurse 1: My husband has insisted I take my clothes off in the garage and get in the shower right away. He is worried about me bringing the virus home.
Nurse 2: Every healthcare worker knows that as soon as we enter the field we are risking ourselves and our families. So for me, this is nothing new…. just a new virus. I just need to make sure I practice what I preach at all times. We must set the example.
What measures or routines are you taking to keep your family safe?
Nurse 1: Making sure I wear a mask and gown in all respiratory patients rooms. I believe we are running out of masks in the hospital.
Nurse 2: We are changing clothing outside and showering upon coming home. I am also being very strict about my children staying home and away from others. This too shall pass.
Is there anything interesting or informative you’d like to share that most people aren’t aware of?
Nurse 1: Just that the hospital doctors have tried to test some people and someone outside of the hospital reviewed the case and denied it. There is an algorithm they go by and very few meet the criteria to be tested, so many more people have it than the numbers show. The algorithm says a patient had to have traveled or been in contact with someone that is positive. I feel like that is outdated criteria at this point.
Nurse 2: The biggest thing right now is EVERYONE must do their part. Please don’t be selfish. Stay in, do not have others over, stay calm, and follow all recommendations. If we don’t… this will continue for much longer.
Conclusion
I’m hoping to keep in contact with these sources as things develop and new questions may arise. If there are any good questions you think I should ask, feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll certainly consider asking your question in a future update.
Did you miss the last Beechmont Stories article, Saint Patrick’s Day No Match for COVID-19, click here to read
