Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of conducting candid interviews with several local healthcare professionals working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis at Community Regional Medical Center in Downtown Fresno.
Over the past several days, I was able to connect briefly with two of the prior interviewees, Nursing Supervisor “Amy” and Physician, “Jane”, and more extensively with one, Physician “John”. I wanted to provide you with updated information now two weeks out from our last article regarding the current local battle against COVID-19.
FresYes: So, how are you doing? How is morale amongst hospital staff?
Physician “John”: The home isolation situations are tiring for everyone. Morale is low, as staff is still stressed about a lack of supply of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and we are still in need of access to additional tests.
FresYes: Can you tell me more about what the PPE situation is currently like? Do you have enough masks?
John: We are currently wearing one mask, all day, and we are keeping it on throughout the day. N95s are being sterilized and re-used. We have very few PAPRs, which stands for Powered Air Purifying Respirators, which are plugged in and a tube is attached to the wearer’s waist and goes up through a mark to provide purified air. These are used in the ICU.
We are also currently working with students from the Engineering Department at Fresno State. They have 3D printed several prototypes for face shields, and after getting feedback from hospital staff, they have a design they believe they can print out at a rate of about 100 frames a day. The frames are reusable, and the shield itself is essentially an overhead projector film, and those are readily available in mass – so this is a positive development.
FresYes: Are there enough health care providers to meet current demands for care?
John: Currently, yes. Our numbers of hospitalized COVID-19 patients remain low. Cases are growing, but thankfully, so far, not exponentially in the Fresno area. The reason we have not seen exponential growth is because of the drastic social distancing measures that have been put into place. If we ease up, we will see the numbers grow quickly – so we need people to keep going with it.
FresYes: Any major updates in regard to cases or testing since we last spoke?
John: Two-thirds of our cases locally are in people under the age of 40. Also, our testing turnaround time has improved from 7-9 days, down to 1 or 2 days, so that’s good. Our testing capacity remains too low however. We need more tests.
Physician “Jane”: At this point, laboring mothers can still have one visitor – however, that’s only during active labor, and mom has to wear a mask, in case she might be infected, as there’s a lot of heavy breathing during labor. This is hard because it feels very claustrophobic for moms actively laboring.
Nursing Supervisor “Amy”: We’re holding steady, numbers are rising but at a pace we can handle so far, since people are staying home – we just need everyone to keep it up!
FresYes: What do you hope the public does in the coming days and weeks at this point?
John: We’re still seeing people out grocery shopping not maintaining good social distancing. This has to change. Also, studies are showing that even homemade cotton masks can help reduce the spread of COVID-19, so if people are out in public, they need to be wearing masks.
I’m hopeful seeing numbers from places like Minneapolis, where social distancing started early like it did here. Their numbers have so far grown but not surged or peaked. We have to continue social distancing.
Oh, one more thing: stop buying so much TP! Buy what you need.
Jane: Don’t wear gloves out in public unless you know how to properly use them. Too many people are touching things, and then touching their faces with the gloves. {Editor’s Note: For a quick one-minute video explanation of proper disposable glove usage, click here.}
I will do my best to continue to provide regular updates from local first-line health care providers tackling the COVID-10 Pandemic in the Fresno area.
Please continue to do your part by washing your hands frequently, staying home except for when you absolutely must go out for work or essentials, and when out, wear a mask if at all possible. Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others and do not get together with friends or family in person. Yes, even and especially during Easter weekend – we know it’s tough, but we’re all in this together, and our combined efforts are making a difference!
Editors note: The views and opinions expressed by the four interviewees are their personal views and experiences and do not reflect the views of Community Regional Medical Center.
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