This headline. This is what happens when healthcare providers are pushed to the breaking point. These healthcare providers, especially nurses, have spent the last year and a half taking care of others in a pandemic. They’ve had to isolate from their own families. They have put their personal lives and their family lives on hold to care for others who are sick and dying. Sure, healthcare providers of any kind care for the sick and dying in their job. But not to this extent. They are humans, and humans can be pushed to the breaking point both physically and mentally.
The most heartbreaking part of this, it did not have to be this way. Since the US started seeing more cases of COVID-19 in March 2020, the COVID deniers, the anti-vaccine people, the talking heads that made mask wearing a political issue instead of a health issue, they brought us to this point. They listened to political and cable news pundits instead of scientists and real doctors. They got their misinformation from Facebook and spread it like glitter throughout their social circles. They did not understand science and viruses and epidemiology, nor did they want to even try to. Instead, they listened to a self-interested, bankrupt, reality show host turned president as he spewed lies, dangerous treatments, and hate. More and more people were hospitalized and more and more died.
They trusted their higher power to protect them, not giving a thought to the idea that maybe the higher power wanted them to use the brain it gave them to protect themselves and others. People they cared about died. People who also believed in the higher power and the same talking heads. They could not bring themselves to put a simple piece of cloth over their nose and mouth to protect others. Ironically, in their bible, Philippians 2:4 says “do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” That did not apply to them. They did not care about others. They did not care about the hundreds of thousands now that were dying, not just in this country but all over the world. They did not care that hospitals were being pushed to the limits. Some of them even entered hospitals, demanding the healthcare providers show them the people who were sick from COVID, then accusing the healthcare providers who were already overworked of coverups and lies. They could not be bothered to stay home, but screamed and protested when they could not get a haircut, go to the gym, or eat out at a restaurant.
Many of these were people who claimed to be patriotic. Who would do anything for their country. Again, a simple piece of cloth over their nose and mouth was all that was asked of them. They were not asked to ration food like in World War II, or grow victory gardens, or to keep their lights off in their homes. A piece of cloth, similar to the ones that surgeons wear when operating, or nurses wear to stop the spread of germs. These people believed that did not work, even though they expected the healthcare providers to wear them when caring for them in the hospital. They kept listening to their talking heads, spreading lies, and dividing a country to the point that relationships ended over the division. Those who did not think like they did were the enemy, not the virus. The people who tried to reason with them, to show them the facts, well they were the ignorant sheep. They could not see the lies and the hypocrisy coming out of their own mouths. They became like cult-followers.
When scientists worked around the clock in an emergency situation to develop a vaccine to prevent the virus, people refused it. They would rather get COVID than risk a vaccine that contained microchip trackers or DNA altering ingredients. The so called “experts” published videos on YouTube and wore white coats as to look professional. Instead they pushed more lies, more misinformation about the virus and now the vaccine. People believed it because after all, they had the word “Doctor” before their name and they were wearing a white lab coat. When others tried to explain how science and research worked, or tried to reason with them about the fact a microchip was not being place in the vaccine, or the fact that if someone really wanted to track them, they already could do so thanks to the cute little iPhone in their pocket they carried everywhere with them, they would not believe the facts. They were not getting the vaccine.
All this time, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals were still working around the clock. Caring for more sick and dying patients. Now, some of these sick and dying patients who refused the vaccine were begging from their hospital beds for it. The nurses and doctors told them it was too late. They already had COVID, they would be intubated, and placed in ICU. Young kids under the age of 12, who are not able to get the vaccine are now ending up in those same hospital beds. It is not their fault they are there. It is the fault of adults who were supposed to be responsible. Adults who had the choice to get the vaccine or wear a mask, but refused. Those same doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff who have been working non-stop since March 2020, are still caring for sick and dying patients from a virus that could have been stopped, or at least slowed. They are tired. They are burnt out, both physically and emotionally. They have been caring for selfish adults who cannot be bothered to think of others, even children under age 12 who are now most at risk and will soon be returning to school. Their mental health is suffering.
Politicians are still dividing people. Instead of being the example of a “Christian Nation” they claim to represent and caring about others. They only care about themselves and their political agenda. They do not want their constituents to be informed. Ignorance is much easier to manipulate. Some governors have passed laws against wearing masks, that simple piece of cloth that can protect others including children, when worn over the nose and mouth. Some have passed these laws, but as the governor of Texas, talked out both sides of their mouth by asking healthcare providers from other states to help out because their own healthcare providers cannot take any more stress. Pediatric hospitals are filling up. Some states only have a few hospital beds left. The virus? It is doing what viruses have done throughout history. It is mutating and developing stronger, more resistant variants, thanks to the ignorance and selfishness of humans.
References:
https://www.kcrg.com/2021/08/10/hospitals-run-low-nurses-they-get-swamped-with-covid/?fbclid=IwAR307pBcK5xJ1oUimxpx8azk01CjJqA7ErW_OJE0m-5ydRP20RS2nh_prIo
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Caring-For-Others