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COVID Corner - WMP Board Commentary: Part 2
The Wound Management & Prevention Editorial Board provides their experiences and insights during the pandemic, in our second installment.
High risk…high caution.
Considering both my husband and I are considered to be high risk, we find ourselves second-guessing everything we do. For the most part, we try not to go outside our home unless absolutely necessary. I had been grocery shopping but now plan to order online and use the delivery service. — Sharon Aronovitch
Going from doctor to patient.
Survived a nasty 10 days of fever, chills, sweats, migraines, postnasal drip, and complete loss of smell. Getting better every day. Afebrile 5 days. Doing telederm from home with residents. — Dan Siegel
Furloughed and frustrated.
I've been furloughed as part of a general surgery group, and the hospital is using contracted surgical assistants for work that I could be performing. We have 5 APRNs and 2 were furloughed in order of seniority—not by skill set. I am the only advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who can assist in the OR, along with 2 other certified first assistant (CFAs), who can only assist in the OR, not cross cover to round on patients. To say I'm extremely disappointed is an understatement. — Samantha Kuplicki
From our board member in Israel.
We are in a near-lockdown state here in Israel (very similar to the situation in NYC in the US now). We shop for food and medications online, but this is challenging since even the biggest supermarkets were not logistically prepared for this crazy scenario. I am speaking with my boys over the phone and via Zoom, but they don’t come to our place (they are only a few buildings up the street). I am climbing up and down the stairs to our 14th-floor apartment to get some exercise once every 2 days (and mostly to not use the elevators). I could not have imagined this in my wildest (bad) dreams...
Israel currently has a low mortality rate (120+ death cases to-date, and 130+ are currently ventilated, which is well within the capacity of our health care system here). The good outcomes in Israel so far appear to be associated with the fact that the Israeli government acted very early and consistently; Israel was one of the first countries to close its borders (to non-Israelis) and gradually apply the [policies of] social distancing and self-quarantine (already in the first week of March, just after my return from the NPIAP Conference in Houston TX). Other countries reacted later, or inconsistently, which was apparently not helpful. Anyhow, the next couple of weeks will be critical and we will know where the world, especially the US and Europe, are going. — Amit Gefen
From a retired Physical Therapist.
As a retired PT who is 70+ years old, I have no exciting stories to tell you, just an incredible amount of frustration sometimes bordering on guilt that I am in the comfort of my home while others are on the front lines. I am over-the-top proud of the entire medical profession for the unselfish, altruistic, committed stance they have taken in serving patients, regardless of the risks. I hope the rest of the world can see the sincerity with which we operate, day in and day out, before, during and after the pandemic. You all are awesome! — Rose Hamm
