From a first responder with emergency department experience

First off, let me just say, Don't flag or star this post. I'm not looking for "ups" from you. I just want to share this information, or rather my thoughts about the coming time with you all who give me some of your valuable time to read what I have to say.

Alright. Well, I know the consensus here is very much divided, with most users here screaming about the damned libtards or the bootlicking republicans. I don't buy into it, because its just human nature to pull back into a dichotomy of Us Vs Them (This happens all the time, especially around major disasters, pandemics, genocides and famine). I'm not here to cast blame, throw salt, or any of that. If you have before or will in the future, that's totally fine. Do it elsewhere, please.

Who am I? I am a first responder, who works on an ambulance. This last week I have taken a step back, due to people in my home being immunocompromised, meaning their immune system is compromised, leading to higher risk of complication were they to become infected with Coronavirus and develop SARS-Covid-19. I have spent a few years on the ambulance, and I have experience working in the local Emergency Room for a short while. I have knowledge about specifics when it comes to PPE, what is worn when, the criteria, and the changes that have been made to accommodate high demand for said PPE (Personal protective equipment).

For someone, for example, presenting with a cough, we would put them on what's known as droplet precautions, which requires a certain amount of protection, including regular respiratory masks (the rectangle paper masks), and eye protection, and gloves. For someone with a suspected infectious illness that was severe, say tuberculosis, we would bring that up a notch and use what's known as an N95 respirator. the N95 is a mask that can filter out particulates that are very, very small, like virulent particles. For someone who is "Fit tested" which means they've undergone a testing that fits a specific size N95 to their face, the mask has a 95%+ chance of stopping particles that are down to around .3 microns. The rectangle masks; not so much. Those masks are really only good at keeping things from going out- not in, and stopping the droplets from getting onto your mouth/nasal area.

The situation is plain. We all thought it was a flu. It is not. We all thought "The numbers of death from flu is so much higher than Covid 19, so it wont be as bad as the flu," again, we were wrong. Hospitals are becoming quickly overwhelmed. Covid 19 is a nasty bugger, and the rate of infection is at least three times higher than with the flu, and we all know how easily the flu gets around. All it takes is Carol at her desk sneezing into her hand and the whole office is buggered. This sickness is spreading, and its spreading faster than we were prepared to deal with. My ambulance service at the beginning of this, was only able to put 2 N95s on each truck, and refills were really scarce. The local hospitals at the beginning were already running into a shortage. Whats happening today, in a lot of hospitals around the country, is nurses and doctors are being told to re-use their PPE, because even the gowns are becoming scarce. Providers do not have the right PPE.

Let me say that again, so it sinks in. Not to scare you, but to drill it home to some of the more nay-sayer of the lot of you.

Providers, do not, have the correct personal protective equipment.

What does this mean?

It means, in a nutshell, we're going to start losing providers. Sure, companies are starting to try to produce things like gowns and gloves, and machines needed, but the actual PPE that is needed is still a long way away. Our providers are going to get sick. And when we start dropping in numbers of providers, people are going to start dying faster. See what I'm getting at?

You see how crazy people got when this started, and we still had the equipment and space to deal with it. Factor in the inability to manage the increasing number, and people are going to get even worse.

I do not wish to incite fear, I don't want you to read this and go raid your local Dollar General. I just want you to start taking this seriously.

Practice safe social habits. Practice better hygiene. Stay at home if its possible at all.

We will get through this together. It's going to suck for a few months, but we WILL get through this.

Love you all, I hope you're all safe and well tonight.

Assuming you are who you say you are (this is ATS after all).

Thank you. Not for the post necessarily, but for being in health care.

Thank for that, and your service!

a reply to: Phage

I just want the best turn out for this thing.

I'm not stupid though. I know some things are inevitable. But it's up to us, all of us, to determine what happens after that.

I believe all these "sources" and "experts" as much as I trust the MSM and the government. Everyone has an agenda these days.

a reply to: Iconic

Thank you for the work you do. It must be hard on you guys. Again. Thank you. Be safe.

a reply to: BoscoMoney

I'm not going to argue with you. You're completely entitled to believe what you want.

But think about your own safety, and the people you come in direct or indirect contact with, and act accordingly, please.

In B.C. in my area, we have had at least, 8 dr's taken out, no idea how many nurses.

a reply to: Iconic

Please dont lecture me. You know nothing about me. Anymore than we know about you.

I think the only safe un-infected place in the world right now is Pitcairn Islands

a reply to: Iconic

Have you talked about something like this at all?

Seems like its pretty darn clever.

Although it might not be ideal, I would think its better than nothing or some various workarounds.

Have also heard of some decontamination procedures with high(er) heat for 15-20m. Like, putting it in the oven. Again, perhaps not ideal, but..

a reply to: BoscoMoney

Heres a picture of my IDs from the hospital and the fire department, and an NREMT patch (Presiding body of emergency medicine with BEMT and USDOT)

ibb.co...

I think that works. If not I'll figure out another way.

originally posted by: BoscoMoney
a reply to: Iconic

Please dont lecture me. You know nothing about me. Anymore than we know about you.

We know you posted this in another thread today.

originally posted by: BoscoMoney 
I'm worried about your health about the same as you all have been worried about mine. You can take your social distancing and BS lockdowns and shove em up your entitled butts. More people around here give 2 craps about this disease and are GOING TO DO WHAT THEY WANT, than you do about believing what youre told to do by the people in charge. WAHHHHH I was sick when I was a child. Here take my freedom because WAHHHHHHH I'm a giant baby who must be told what to do by my pocket big brother device. It tells me what to think, say and do all day everyday. The people risking their butts everyday have to grin and bear it so you can buy your ice cream and pizza chip necessities, while you sit on your high horse talking about OMG FOOOLOW ORDURRRS. There are NO WINNERS in this game, so stop using your entitlement as an excuse to trample on people rights. GO ahead, pick it apart. I'm gonna go practice some social coughing at a local eatery.

Starred and flagged. Don't tell me what to do.

Thanks though for the heads up, myself and mine are doing our part by staying put, not spreading crap, and not buying excessive amounts of stuff we wont use.

Prayers to those who work in hospitals dealing with this thing. Ya'll are earning your money on this one.

a reply to: Serdgiam

It is an interesting method, but like anything else in the medical field, it requires extensive testing, and with something as new as Covid 19, it would probably need some testing with that specific strain to note the performance.

Needless to say, that's a lot of time, and a lot of potential infections from A to B.

originally posted by: Iconic
a reply to: BoscoMoney

Heres a picture of my IDs from the hospital and the fire department, and an NREMT patch (Presiding body of emergency medicine with BEMT and USDOT)

ibb.co...

I think that works. If not I'll figure out another way.

Dude, you don't owe that tool proof.

I got friends and family fighting this thing and they say it's like nothing they have seen before. The general consensus is if you get it without complications GREAT! But if it gets bad it gets BAD fast and without intense medical care you are as good as dead.

a reply to: caterpillage

Mostly for anyone else who would be wondering the same thing.

And I get it, man. I'm libertarian AF, so when people are saying lock-down, there is a small part of me that resists that because "mah rights", but at the same time, my knowledge and training kicks in and brings me back to the square where I need to be.

We need to be a little less rigid right now, and take into account things bigger than ourselves.

a reply to: Iconic

Medical professionals should be compensated better. New York City is having a lot of problems with Covid-19 because, in part, the hospitals were unstaffed.

City Wide Protests just last year: bushwickdaily.com...

Since you're essential to National Security, the Federal Government should pay medical professionals an extra $1,000 a month. Uncle Sam can afford it.

a reply to: JAY1980

I've been in contact with my mother who lives some hours away. Her husband and her both have it, and are locked up in their house. The numbers of 'infected' are completely incorrect, because a lot of people aren't tested.

We are saving our tests in my state for HCP, first responders, and high risks. That's it. If you call and look for a test, you ain't getting one. Sit at home, and if it gets bad, go to the hospital then.

right now, my mother thinks her case is more mild, but her husband is getting the work of it. Worried about them.