mounting pressure

When I last wrote I was feeling quite positive about coping with the pandemic we're experiencing. Although I'm not worried or afraid overall, the strain at work has intensified. Last week everything seemed to be going smoothly, but by the weekend the atmosphere had become much more stressful. While working Saturday and Sunday I got outside of the pharmacy more than usual since I wasn't scheduled to make IV's. I felt the tension in the air when I made deliveries to areas where suspected virus patients are taken care of. The nurses seemed harried and short-tempered. I had a hostile interaction with one nurse in particular who was demanding meds. Sometimes I think the nurses don't realize the pharmacy serves the whole hospital at once and their requests aren't always as important as others.

While making deliveries this weekend I saw some very sick people. I wonder if they have worried family members who are unable to visit? I've been reading stories of people who can't be with their dying loved ones during this time. It's hard to imagine how painful that would be. But it's also true that far too many people die alone during normal times.

The turnaround time for COVID-19 testing is at 10 days now because labs are so overrun with specimens. Hopefully a more rapid method will be developed soon. This is just another reminder of how relatively new this strain of coronavirus is. Personally I am very skeptical of those who claim drug X is the cure or treating with X method is the answer. Enough time will show the truth, but right now all these drugs and methods are not proven. Touting their supposed benefit is a little premature.

As of today, employees are required to wear a mask in the hospital at all times. We are supposed to use the mask for 7 days to conserve supply. It's no fun to wear it for 8 hours a day, but I'm thankful our leadership is trying to protect us. Doctors and nurses are undergoing much more cumbersome garbing to take care of patients. Those who provide direct care are real heroes. I found out Wawa is giving free coffee to healthcare workers, which is wonderful! Little gestures like that mean a lot.

I pass a Harley Davidson store when I stop at Wawa for my coffee, and their sign says. "This sucks! Screw it. Ride on!" A little cloud of darkness comes across my day when I see it. I decided to leave an anonymous message saying I don't appreciate their sign. It doesn't give a good feeling and we need positivity during this time. If there's others who feel the same, maybe you can encourage them to change it also!

I'm on day 5 of a 7 day work schedule and definitely feeling the need for a break. It's nice to be needed, but it's also important to get away and refocus.

Every now and then the funny side of all this strikes me. Today when I looked around and saw everyone wearing a mask looking like beaked aliens, I wanted to laugh! Let's not get caught up in fear and gloom over this pandemic. Take precautions and follow the rules, then look for things to spark joy!