October 2020
Jackson, Tennessee - Jackson-Madison County Hospital doctors and nurses are begging everyone in the community to follow safety protocols, because things are getting dire.
They aren’t alone.
Dozens of leading medical and health groups from around the United States joined forces this week, releasing a PSA to encourage mask wearing nationwide. Leaders of those groups say something had to be done because the nation is in trouble, and we can’t rely on our government right now to intervene.
It’s a scary time for medical professionals, who are members of our own community, and are being pushed to the brink.
“This virus is REAL. It is DEADLY. I am tired of watching my patients suffer and die, because of political rhetoric. If you are someone who doesn’t believe it is real or not serious, come spend the day with me. If you are someone who doesn’t believe wearing masks saves lives or are non compliant with masking, you, or your family or friends, will likely HAVE to come see me before it’s over with. The Emergency Manager in me says this… YOUR hospital (yes it is yours) is stretched beyond capacity and the people who work here, who have dedicated their LIVES to care for YOU, desperately need your help. Be smart. Wear masks. Don’t socially gather in big groups. Wash your hands.” Dr. Lyn Tisdale, Respiratory Care Manager and Emergency Preparedness Leader at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital
Dr. Lyn Tisdale oversees emergency preparedness for Western Tennessee Healthcare and is also the respiratory care manager at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. He says he’s dealt with a big influx in patients in the past because of things like the flu, or after a severe tornado outbreak, but this is different.
“We have never seen any disaster event of this scale and duration before,” said Dr. Tisdale. “We are living in a historical moment. People will be reading about 2020 a hundred years from now.”
Statistically, about 4% of COVID-19 patients end up in the hospital. When you compare that to population, that number is huge. For example, if everyone in Madison County had the virus, 4,000 people would be in the hospital. In places like Shelby County where the population is just over 927,000, that would mean more than 37,000 patients would be hospitalized.
“Those who are hospitalized are often critically ill and require high levels of oxygen,” said Dr. Tisdale. “Many require invasive and non-invasive ventilation. The patients usually end up with varying degrees of viral pneumonia. Sometimes it is mild and other times it is not. We do see that a patients condition can change very suddenly. Sometimes for the better, but sometimes for the worst.”
In the beginning of the pandemic, hospitals and medical facilities around the country lacked the PPE, or personal protective equipment needed to keep staff safe. That’s no longer an issue locally, but staffing concerns are.
“Staffing is still critical,” he said. “Those employees, again, who are dedicated to helping YOU, are tired and exhausted from working exceedingly long hours, but they keep coming in every day and making it happen. I hope we can hold it together long enough for a vaccine or for this pandemic to die down. Again, we need your help. Pray for your healthcare workers.”
What he’s most concerned about is the impending flu season. “One big issue I foresee coming is related to the flu,” said Dr. Tisdale. “If we have even a moderate flu season on top of this COVID crisis, it is going to be… I don’t even have the words.”
He says each of us can help prevent that from happening by getting a flu shot as soon as possible.
He is also pleading with people to stay home this Thanksgiving, avoid gatherings, even with people you trust, and wear a mask every time you leave the house. When you’re in public, stay at least 6′ away from other people and wash your hands often.
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