By Dr. Rich Trenholm
It feels good to help out at the vaccine clinic. People are so grateful to finally get the opportunity to get the immunization. It is one of the few parts of medicine that is happy. Not breaking bad news. Not adding medications to someone’s daily routine. Not helping someone navigate their way back to the light from the depths of despair or anxiety. Not telling someone that they have cancer or a life-altering or terminal illness.
With every person that visits my table, I am greeted with, and return their greeting, a smile and optimism.
Not that they can ease off with the masks or restrictions, but certainly they can know they are part of the solution. Yes, doing their part for themselves, their families, their community, and the human race to stop this pandemic.
It is so hard for the people in our community to take all of this seriously as the burden of cases is largely not here. They are in other cities and other parts of the world. Maybe that is partly because we as a community are doing our part. Most of us aren’t doing social gatherings for selfish reasons…I haven’t seen my parents, my sister, or my in-laws for several months either. But that’s okay. I know that I am keeping my community safe and I am keeping them safe. My wife and kids are too. It sucks. But it is what it is and what needs to be done to break the cycle.
I say selfish because a lot of the cases we hear about are because families couldn’t take it anymore. They got together for Easter. They got together for a birthday. They got together because someone had a baby. They got together because they missed their grandkids.
But then they got themselves sick. They got themselves admitted to the hospital. They got themselves into the ICU on a ventilator. And yes, some of them even died.
So, was it really worth it? Now they can’t see their families for Easter, birthdays, or anything. Ever.
So, think twice before you break the bubble. This too shall pass, but only if we take the time and care and do what needs to be done.
For those that think this is a hoax, come talk to any other health care professional that has stood at the bedside and watched an intubated patient die alone.
This post was initially posted on Facebook by Dr. Trenholm and is reprinted here with permission.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
Debbie Ellison says
Well said!
Jenna Cany says
Well said, indeed. Thank you Dr. Trenholm for taking the time to write this clear, precise and heartfelt message. What especially needs be noted is your comment stating that ‘because families couldn’t take it anymore’, they let down their guard and got together with family and friends. Time and frustration could easily lead us into doing just that, especially if we felt we had been careful and safe this far. How foolish it would be to take that chance. And, although more and more people are getting vaccinated, receiving one dose doesn’t make us immune.
Susan Dennis says
And those are the facts, thanks Rich! Realistic article.
Gordon Middleton says
I hope this letter from Dr. Trenholm shakes the heads of a few folk who continue to dismiss the guidelines that mitigate risks of COVID-19 transmission.
Unfortunately, I know too many Tradespeople, Janitors, Retailers, Accountants, Lawyers, Real Estate Agents, Politicians, and Retirees who all seem to know more about this virus than medical professionals!
If there’s one good thing COVID has done for us, it’s drawn a clear line down society; those one side of the line have compassion for those around them, and the common sense to wear masks, observe social distancing, and monitor their “bubbles.”
For those on the other side of that line, we will be sympathetic of how COVID-19 affected your life, but we’ll also remember how you conducted yourself when the rest of your community needed your support.
Monika Faulhaber says
Where is the data on how many of these COVID patients are being tested for any of the 7 Corona viruses, influenza a and b, and pneumonia tuberculosis and HIV?
Norm Mark says
As soon as we all accept the situation and pull together the sooner we all get back to normal. So many small businsses and families are stressed beyond reason that it is imperative that we conduct ourselves in a safe manner and get the vaccine as soon as its available to save lives, businesses and families. Not doing your part will just prolong the turmoil, cause unrepairable damage and you will become part of that disaster.
In the past we all got right on with cooperating so as to end things like polio and other serious deceases. Everyone worked together. Lets get that thinking back on track.