SPECIAL COVID-19 SECTION
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at the grocery store winked at me and whispered under his breath,
“Hey, there are a couple bags of frozen mixed veggies left under that
shelf down there.” I saw kinship when a case manager bought me
bleach wipes when I posted that I couldn’t find cleaning supplies. I
see kinship when people acknowledge strangers on the street, and
when enormous numbers of crafters offer to make masks for health
care workers. I see kinship when a co-worker offers a listening ear,
and when people post rainbow pictures and encouraging signs.
I see kinship when medical students volunteer their services to
physicians to babysit, run errands and deliver food. I see kinship
when colleagues of all disciplines interact with and support each
other more than they ever did before.
There are no surefire strategies to navigate the stress and uncer-
tainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am trying to eat healthfully,
pray, meditate, exercise, read, keep in contact with loved ones and
enjoy nature. But all of these are not enough: we need the type of
resilience that Gregory Boyle speaks of in Tattoos on the Heart.
“Sometimes resilience arrives in the moment you discover your
own unshakeable goodness.” We must believe in our own souls,
and try to recognize and join with our colleagues’ souls—we are
all fighting together to save our community.
Remember that you are trained to do your job. You are a pro-
fessional. You know what to do, how to figure out what to do, or
whom to ask for help. You absolutely have permission to feel anxious,
frustrated or terrified. Feel it, scream or not scream, breathe through
it. Then, be intentional about channeling those energies into leading
others. Now is the time to step up and set the example that being
strong also means being vulnerable, and realizing it. Acknowledge
your worries, ask for help during challenging times, check on all
your staff and ask how they are faring.
In closing, I would like you to participate in a brief mental exer-
cise with me. When things get overwhelming, imagine yourself as a
tree in a storm. The wind and rain are harsh. Imagine that during this
storm, your branches will bend, but they will never break. The trunk
(your core) will never waver. This tree represents all of you during
these challenging times, my dear physician colleagues. We’ve got
this. Besides opening your hearts to your patients, open your hearts
to your fellow physicians, coworkers, family, pets, therapist, friends
and anyone who can support you through this. Let others care for
you as you care for your patients during this pandemic. Admitting
that you cannot do everything is a sign of strength. Take care of
yourselves and each other. Be the “bridge over troubled water” for
your patients and colleagues. Remember that others can provide
that bridge for you in return. There is no shame in resting on your
friend’s bridge if you need it.
(Editor’s note: And…wash your hands. -MB)
Dr. Suzanne McGee is an internist and Director of the Emergency Department
Hospitalist Service at the University of Louisville Hospital. She also serves as Co-
Course Director of the Introduction to Clinical Medicine course at the University of
Louisville School of Medicine.
PPE Drive
PPE LIST:
1. N95 RESPIRATORS
These masks are critical in helping to protect healthcare workers from droplets and aerosols
2. SURGICAL MASKS
Although not as secure as N95 masks, surgical masks do offer a significant degree of protection against
droplets with COVID.
3. PROTECTIVE GOGGLES
Eyes/Eyelashes are a known source of transmission of COVID, especially in aerosolizing procedures.
4. GLOVES (Nitrile, non powdered)
We are running low on gloves, a critical item in the hospital in patient care.
5. FACE SHIELDS
To assist in preventing droplets and airborne COVID from entering our eyes, a known source of
transmission
6. WIPES: DISINFECTANT
These wipes are critical to wiping down medical machinery, workspaces, computers and rooms after
patients have been in them
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE