Quote:
Originally Posted by spoon.ek9
Perhaps now is a good time to tell you all that I'm one of your healthcare workers. Been in the hospital system since 2008 working in areas including emergency, cancer care and pharmacy. I can tell you with absolute certainty that all PPE are crucial at this point.
We are especially short (and have run out on certain days) of surgical masks with the plastic face shield. This is exactly what is used for droplet precautions by anyone who needs to be in close contact with the patients. When they run out, there is no other option other than to wear what is available which in this specific case is surgical masks. For the time being, you are correct. We do have available surgical mask supply that is being rationed to each department as necessary and in order of importance. N95 as mentioned many times in this thread is intended for airborne precautions which for covid patients would mean when any aerosol generating procedure is necessary.
We have already begun changing our personal protection strategies around the hospital. Up until a week ago, there was a consensus by upper management that wearing a mask was unnecessary and "looked bad". That's changed now and it didn't take long. In the roles I am involved in, we are now to wear gloves and a mask, sanitize in between wards and if necessary dispose of our PPE once finished in particular wards. We are using these things at a completely unprecedented rate. Current supplies will not last as long as you might think. We have also been told to bring a pair of shoes to leave at work. My role in emergency has changed as well. Due to shortage of PPE and to reduce risk of contracting the virus I am now being told to talk to patients via phone. This means either their personal cellphones or with the wireless phone in the department.
So what's my point here? Supplies, regardless of where they come from, are going to be needed at hospital. I don't think it needs to be mentioned but obviously they would be of best use at our hospitals rather than for individuals to go grocery shopping, etc.
Now, I do want to say that there has been some excellent info in this thread. I have also noticed that people who tend to not agree on anything around this forum have for the most part stopped their usual bickering and have realized the seriousness of our collective situation. Hell, we've even had people admit that they were wrong and that is not only admirable but incredibly important at a time like this. We're all human, we all make mistakes but it takes a great person to admit their errors (even if it's behind their keyboard). And please, don't take any of this the wrong way. I'm not better than anyone here. I'm just another human being who just happens to work in hospital.
Some of you may be asking why I haven't revealed myself until now. The thing is this, regardless of what I (or anyone) do for work, the message is the same. Wash your hands, social distancing, stop hoarding, be considerate and helpful to others. Multiple official statements from our health authority have been ignored by many. Also, despite what you might think of some of our polarizing figures on RS, they have been posting helpful and valid information.
To end, I can also share the fact that I am now in Day 6 of my isolation period. I came in contact with a patient who eventually tested positive. Here's the kicker: they came in for something COMPLETELY unrelated. It was only much later that they presented with respiratory symptoms and were immediately tested. I literally haven't left my building this entire time because I am taking this seriously even though I have been completely asymptomatic this entire time. I can tell you for a fact I'd much rather be helping out at work than sitting here typing this long ass post but I have no choice in the matter. Perhaps my personal insight can be helpful to those reading. Thankfully, many friends and coworkers have been checking up on me and offering to pick up groceries/supplies for me. It's been very humbling to see all the support and I hope that we as human beings can do so for others around us as well.
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Having to isolate yourself from family must be rough. Heard stories from the SARS days of healthcare workers doing so on their accord (and own dime) to keep their families safe.
Best of luck, you have all our support. And thanks for your service and being open about everything!
This is my personal opinion though: The public in general absolutely needs masks. If there were enough masks that everyone wore them (whether by choice or by law), it would help "flatten the curve"
significantly.
Since that is literally impossible though, I suppose it's a moot point. But I think whole "masks don't help unless you're sick" is a misguided notion, and gets repeated to the point where people just assume "masks are irrelevant so I'll never wear one even if I get access". Which is worse than "I'm 100% safe if I wear this mask" IMO