View from the #COVID-19 Frontlines by a Family Doctor

As the next surge of COVID-19 patients arrives, memories of the last still linger in my mind: memories of lives lost, patients still experiencing symptoms after months since diagnosis, and fear. No matter how old the patient or what comorbidities they gave, some degree of fear accompanies them. They have seen the news and watched as the numbers climbed. At this point in the pandemic, they likely know someone who has died to this horrible virus.

Medical practices across the country have had to change the way they practice keeping patients safe. In my practice, we only allow patients in our doors one-by-one. There is no longer a wait in the waiting room to keep patients physically distanced. Patients are instructed to call from the parking lot and receive a notice when to come inside. Unfortunately, not all patients like this.

Even though COVID is overwhelming the healthcare system, other infections have not gone away. While we treat to treat suspected cases by telemedicine as much as we can this is not always possible. A strep throat can case a sore throat and fever just like COVID. Yet, it can only be differentiated by exam and doing a throat swab. Not prescribing antibiotics can lead to complications so we bring these patients into the office, through a separate door and straight to the exam room without exposing them to anyone else. I don’t let any of my staff near these patients and sterilize the room myself. I will not put anyone else at risk other than myself.

While the physical task of limiting patient exposure can be challenging, some days I feel more like an air traffic controller than a doctor, the actual treatment of these patients is even more so. Experimental treatments are being claimed as cures while still not available to most patients. People ask about vaccines for which there is still no data. Will it be available in a month or a year? Will it work? Will it be safe? We answer these questions the best we can, hoping we can wish it here.

Patients who are infected, and even those who are not, are afraid, I can see it in their eyes. And that fear is not easy to alleviate as we still do not have answers. Will they become a long hauler? Have they exposed someone else? Should they get their children tested? Should their kids go to school? So many questions yet so few answers. Did I wash my hands long enough? Am I now infected? Is it safe for me to go to the store or I am now a risk to others?

Experts struggle to find the evidence to control this pandemic. However, others fill in the gaps while research is being done. Those with no science or medical training make claims that are harmful while claiming them to be true. Masks don’t work they say, yet the evidence piles up that they do. Medications have been touted as cures that have proven not to work. Yet, people cling to them because they heard they do.

Politicians have hijacked the issue as if a vote could whisk it away. Yet, the virus has no political affiliations and will infect who it will, even the leaders of the world. Lockdowns, masks, and social distancing are all what we must fight the virus for now. No one likes these measures, even healthcare workers. However, unless we all follow them, the numbers will grow.

Perhaps, the most hurtful of all in this pandemic is seeing such little regard for human life. People claim it affects only the elderly or those with underlying conditions. When did we, as a society, become unconcerned about people dying because of their age. I have devoted my life taking care of these people. I’ll never be OK with writing them off in order for people to return to their normal lives. They deserve our care and respect. Everyone of those numbers people are so focused on have a face and a name, a family who loved them. They are not just a number, their lives matter.

As a doctor on the frontlines treating COVID, I’ve seen things I’ve never imagined I would. Doctors are not trained to be accept death. We want to save everyone. That is our calling. People can debate any public health measure they want to, but I’ll continue to fight, not just for the young and healthy, but every single person. This is no longer a fight against a pathogen; it is a fight for humanity.

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