Sorting the Science

I’m tired. And it’s too early for me to be tired, because the worst is yet to come for me as a doctor. I’m tired of people saying this is hyped. I’m tired of people making this into a Democrat thing. I’m tired of people making this into a Trump thing. But mostly, I’m tired of the divisiveness about this. Because you know what? It doesn’t matter. The United States is following Italy’s trajectory. Some areas of our country are closer to the breaking point already than maybe where you live, so this all seems too much right now. Our hospital system as we know it will break. Please hear me out. This isn’t something I want to happen. I’m just trying to get ready for it. There are things that I have learned in my career that allow me to help in situations like these. And I get that those of you not in healthcare can feel helpless in this situation and feel mad and want to blame someone. That’s not going to help, so please stop. So what can you do? Wash your hands. Stay home wh

I remember the NCAA commercials from about 10 years ago that said: “There are over 380,000 student athletes, and most of us go pro in something other than sports.” I am one of those athletes. I was nationally ranked in D3 shotput and weight throw my senior year. I absolutely love sports. My husband is a college football referee. I live in Green Bay. Please hear me, now in my pro career as a physician: CANCEL THE SPORTS. CANCEL ALL OF THEM. CANCEL THEM NOW.   I'm not saying play the games with limited audiences or play them for TV. I am saying flat out cancel them. All of them. Elementary, high school, college, professional. Not next week. Not we'll see how it goes. IT WILL BE TOO LATE. We are 11.5 days behind Italy. 200 people died yesterday because the hospital system is overwhelmed. The reports from my Italian physician colleagues are terrifying. Don't think it can happen here? I will be the first to scream I told you so from the hospital - if and when I ever

So if you think all this Covid-19 stuff is crazy - this is what we're trying to do. It's to spread out the infections over time so the health care system isn't overwhelmed. This very much has the capacity to overwhelm our system. That's why things are being cancelled. It overwhelmed Italy's health care system. The reports from Italian physicians are terrifying. Wash your hands. Stay home when sick. Stay away from crowds.