Thoughts on COVID-19 from the front line
Preventive care, virus mitigation and mental health are all important during this pandemic, a doctor writes.
Health systems are overrun with acutely ill patients they need to care for on a daily basis.
While we have seen that people are less likely to avoid the emergency department now than last spring during the start of the pandemic, we are also seeing people who have illness due to not getting their maintenance health care such as colonoscopies, vaccines and mammograms.
I would urge people not to put off their preventive care visits and important follow-up visits with their physicians.
Another trend we are seeing in emergency departments across the country is that the demographics of COVID-19 patients have changed. In the beginning of the pandemic, we were evaluating many nursing home patients entering the emergency department with COVID-19. Now that the vaccine is being administered to that population of patients, we are seeing fewer nursing home residents and caregivers with COVID-19 and more older and middle-aged adults who are living in their own residences.
To the nursing home employees and caregivers, please get vaccinated as soon as you are able. It is important for all health care providers to get vaccinated so that we have enough people to take care of our patients. People need to be vaccinated to protect themselves and others. Receiving the vaccine when you are able is not only good for patient care, it’s good for you, your family, your friends, and your community.
As a society, we must attempt to discover ways to mitigate the pandemic while we attempt to eradicate this virus in the health care community. Mitigation measures such as maskwearing, social distancing and receiving the vaccine when you are able are important. In addition, just because you have had the COVID-19 virus does not mean you should decline the vaccine or stop practicing these mitigation efforts.
After you’ve gotten the vaccine, share your stories and photos with the Pennsylvania Medical Society on social media by using the hashtag #WeAreAllOnTheFrontlineNow. Get premade graphics to share with your social post at www.pamedsoc.org/WeAreAllOnTheFrontlineNow. We’re all in this together — we’re all on the front line now.
A final but very important thought from our experience is the toll that this virus is taking on the population, especially our younger patients, with regard to mental health and substance abuse. Please seek help if you or your loved ones are struggling with mental health or a substance abuse disorder during the pandemic and beyond.
Don’t ignore your mental health. If you need help, here are just a few of the mental health resources available to Pennsylvanians:
• Crisis Text Line: Text ‘PA’ to 741741 for help 24/7.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you care about is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the Lifeline at 800-273-8255. (Español: 888-628-9454.)
• Pennsylvania’s new support helpline: This service from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is here to help. Call 855-284-2494 to speak with someone today.
• Get Help Now for substance use disorder: Reach out for support from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs by calling 1-800-662-4357, or use the online chat function.
• Veterans Crisis Line: Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Connect with caring, qualified responders, many of whom are veterans themselves, by calling 1-800273-8255 and pressing 1, or chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net.
We must seek ways to mitigate the pandemic while we attempt to eradicate this virus in the health care community.