A nurse with over 30 years ICU experience, a core of our community, a mother and a grandmother several times over, was supposed to retire yesterday.  She posts: “…my retirement is on hold so that I may continue to help my friends (who are like family) during this pandemic, as ICU nurses are a rare... Continue Reading →

March 27, 2020 They didn’t train for this.  The entire corps of them from nurses to doctors to techs and housekeepers.  They didn’t train for going blind into a battle with gaping holes in their armor. We trained them to stand in the breach of a pandemic shielded by not just Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)... Continue Reading →

Do not resuscitate / Do not intubate. These are some of the most profound decision you and your loved ones will make.  At this point, most everyone should have end of life care decisions written down or at a very minimum, expressed clearly to your next of kin. DNR or Do Not Resuscitate basically says... Continue Reading →

This week's testing numbers are what I was really expecting last week.  As terrifying as they appear to be, it is actually a good sign.  We are now doing modest testing and by next week it will be moderate levels of testing. I urge folks not to freak out.  We knew the number of new... Continue Reading →

March 21, 2020 Just a quick note on the face mask thing. To start … to the healthcare workers: I am so very sorry.  The system that was supposed to protect you failed. PPE, or personal protective equipment is what you know.  It’s what you trained with: N95 masks, hoods, gloves - all single use... Continue Reading →

March 19, 2020 I kind of missed it in all this insanity but - it’s spring!  Seems lucky that we are not buried in one of those nasty New England winters; and sick.  We can actually spend time with the outdoors and watch life emerge from winter’s hibernation. And COVID-19 just turned the great outdoors... Continue Reading →

March 20, 2020 In the end, to fix this pandemic, we are going to need some new heroes.  To be sure, they’ve been in our communities for ever, but we need them now even more. Some folks are willing lay down their arm on a soft cushion and allow a stranger, in a lab coat,... Continue Reading →

COVID-19:  “I’ve Got The Fever!” March 18, 2020 No; really, I don’t. But you’ve got that song in your head for the rest of  the day.  You’re welcome. There have been a lot of question regarding fever management in this time of COVID-19 that I’d like to cover as best as I can. So I... Continue Reading →

March 16, 2020 ‘The Florence Nightingale’s Pledge’ had lines like this in it: “to pass my life in purity” and “I shall abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous” I’d go on, but the nurses I know wouldn’t make it this far. Let's make it a bit more basic so we can all get behind... Continue Reading →

March 16, 2020 This last week has clarified things for just about everyone.  COVID-19 has forced us onto new ground.  Our lives have changed, our society has changed, much of ‘normal’ has changed. And if you are over 60, or if you count on someone over 60, or you love someone over 60 - you’re... Continue Reading →