Through my plastic face shield, fogged up by my N95, my too small gown tied around my waist and neck, I stand at the foot of the bed and look at the man. He is sixty years old, eyes fearful, face flushed with fever, his hands tremble with rigors. He mumbles, “What took you so long? What took you so long?”
Cases are rising, even here in Connecticut where vaccine rates and mask wearing are high. All the day on the radio we hear: “Full precautions, please.” “Need PUI tag.” “Positive.”
At the hospitals, crews in yellow gowns push stretchers down the hall. The Decon trashcan overflows with doffed gear.
At crew change, my relief asks what supplies he needs. Some days it is ambu-bags, IV supplies, narcan, c-collars. Today, the first thing I say is “You need a new infection control bag.”*
Cases are rising, weather’s turning cold, people moving indoors. Please get vaccinated, get your boosters, wear your masks in public, stay safe.
Health care workers are tired of this.
*Our infection control bag includes two reusable plastic face shields, ten surgical masks, 4 N-95s, package of full body gowns.