Joining the War Against Coronavirus

With this invisible menace all around me, I would be lying to you if I said I wasn’t scared

For the past week, I’ve been on the sidelines in the fight against the SARS CoV-2 virus. I’ve been off clinical duty, helping my hospital and colleagues deal with the pandemic from the comfort and relative safety of my home. All that changes on March 23. That’s when I take over the clinical ICU service in my hospital.

I’ve been reading numerous medical journals and articles. I’ve been going over clinical guidelines and poring over the latest CDC recommendations. I’ve been reading news reports about the pandemic, as well as social media post of other healthcare professionals who have gotten sick. I’ve watched hours and hours of breathless news coverage.

I’ve never served in the military. I wonder if this is how it feels fighting a war.

I’ve helped my group and hospital prepare for the expected surge of COVID-19 patients. I’ve helped develop policies and treatment protocols. I’ve checked in with my partners already in the fight at my hospital, offering as much support as I can. It all becomes real in a couple of days when I start working in the ICU myself.