As we move deeper into this sudden economic chasm that has
appeared in our state due to the COVID pandemic, it brings questions to mind
regarding the efficacy of the course we remain locked onto. When the Governor first issued his state of
emergency proclamation, it was to “flatten the curve” of infections so as to
not overwhelm and inundate our hospitals and medical services. By flattening the curve; according to the
many virologists, immunologists, and other Drs. I have been listening to over
the past few weeks we aren’t stopping the virus’ effects, only slowing them
down. The threat of this virus is still
there, out in the environment. However,
according to these Drs., remaining in lockdown indefinitely is not realistic
or even necessarily a good idea.
Remaining in self-isolation, in a heavily sanitized home environment is
more likely to weaken our immune system due to reduced contact with even many
common viruses and bacteria that we need to maintain a strong and healthy immune
system. So if we remain in lockdown for
a further period and begin to attempt to restore our earlier activities in a
mass movement it is highly likely that many people will become ill from a
number of illnesses out in the environment due to a weakened immune system. This could indeed cause a spike in ER visits
and possible hospitalizations.
This brings us to the
current condition of many hospitals in our state. In order to reduce the risk of overwhelming
our hospitals, clinics, and other medical services, the Governor’s emergency
proclamation ordered all “elective” surgeries and procedures to be halted. The concept was to ensure that facilities
were available if needed for COVID patients.
However, we are now facing a situation where hospitals are very nearly
empty and have little in the way of revenue coming in. Many of the hospitals in Washington have
begun to seriously consider furloughing staff, cutting the hours of others.
This includes Drs. And nurses, not just support staff in the hospital. Some hospitals have even noted that they are within sight of a situation where they may have to close their doors, especially in
some of the more rural parts of the state.
My question is this, how can hospitals be expected to be ready for a
spike in COVID cases, if they are understaffed, or even forced to close?
By definition, most procedures and surgeries that are not of
an emergent nature are “elective”. It is
my strong belief that only a doctor can decide if a procedure or surgery is
necessary. The ban on elective surgeries
at this point in time should be relaxed for at least two reasons. This would allow doctors to better serve the
health of their patients and assist in prolonging and saving lives. It would also provide hospitals with the
inflow of revenue that can keep them operating, and prevent their financial
collapse. It will do no one any good in
the middle of the prolonged pandemic that this lockdown has created, to risk
reducing the ability to provide healthcare by causing hospitals to furlough
medical staff or close their doors.
A majority of doctors that I have been listening to over the
past few weeks that are discussing this situation seem to have a common basis of
understanding that they are speaking to.
While the upper echelon of government health officials and the main
stream media are primarily appearing to be focused on the number of confirmed
cases and deaths, these doctors are pointing out the results of studies and
testing that seems to show the actual number of cases of COVID to be up to fifty
times higher. This results in a fatality
rate not too dissimilar to that of a bad flu season (the 2017-2018 flu for
example resulted in approximately 60,000 deaths in the US). Currently, upwards of 90% of the current
fatalities of COVID are senior citizens, especially in long term care
facilities, and those with pre-existing health issues that are exacerbated by a
respiratory infection. It seems that an extremely low percentage of fatalities without some underlying health issue are below 50 years of age. Therefore, it
would seem advisable, after listening to these doctors, to allow those with the
least risk of adverse reaction to the disease to go back to work in a managed,
health positive ad responsible manner.
While allowing medical facilities to resume “elective” procedures with
the benefit of saving and prolonging lives, as well as remaining staffed and
available if there is a sudden spike in COVID infections.
This should have the two-pronged effect of beginning to
restore our citizens’ health and our economy to a much stronger and more
vibrant condition that either currently possesses.
Thank you.
