PPE&COVID19
The COVID pandemic began in the early 2020s. Early on, There was a definite lack of organization and duty to care, regarding the COVID-19 protocol, my hospital employer (management and supervisor) restricted use of PPE. Ie. nurses who wanted to wear face masks and paper gowns were discouraged from doing so. Such conduct bordered on abuse of company policy. OSHA requirements regarding PPE; the PPE policy is used more often to discipline employees. Rather than provide adequate PPE to employees for their protection from biological hazards, the policy is used to discipline employees who are observed not wearing gloves where indicated, (patients often are under the assumption that the gloves or masks are worn to protect the patient).

CDC network of laboratory support was slow. Turn around time of COVID19 testing was delayed beyond reasonable time, unexpected of the richest country of the world with the capability of producing better. Where Lack of testing was noted, we were told physicians had direct control of ordering the COVID19 test, however who was advising the physicians? I witnessed patients that should have been tested but were not. What diagnostic information was being shared with the Emergency room staff and what advice was given to physicians about COVID19, the laboratory certainly didn’t have capability or information for mass testing?

When we asked the manager, “What information is available about antibody testing? ” I was told there was none and we wouldn’t be doing any. That of course changed. Everything changed, sometimes rules, protocol, procedures, supplies, changed several times a week if not daily.

I don’t trust happy talk, business propaganda. Over the years I’ve witnessed the salary and bonuses and benefits the CEO/President of hospital to the tune of millions of dollars a year, however my hourly wage has been stagnant for years. This year they offered 2.5% and attributed it to Coronavirus.

On May 6, 2020 AHS announced all employees to be tested for COVID19. We are to go to an online site to sign up for a time slot. However, my facility wasn’t available for a time slot, testing would take place in phases.
On May 8, 2020 AHS employer put employees testing on ‘pause’. The laboratory contracted for testing was overwhelmed. They will let us know when they resume the testing. In the meantime we are being issued one mask a day. The masks are not the usual mask we had in the beginning which were thicker and fit tighter, the new masks are more less a thin mask, loose fit, flat piece of paper. I’m not sure it is protecting from COVID19, it became commonly acceptable.

Also should note of 400 employees tested no positives, however for every 50 outpatients tested for pre-surgery there has been 2 positive. Several different labs have been contracted to do COVID19 testing. The hospital lab only tests for COVID19 on in- patients, MAWD does pre- surgery patients ( I think the doctors got together to secure a lab for COVID19 testing so they could start doing elective surgeries again. And entirely different lab was contracted to test hospital employees.

Odd event, hospital is now hoarding certain supplies, our lab was forced to accept an order for 3 boxes of rubbing alcohol. Items we would normally have only needed two bottles for the whole year. We weren’t asked, we were told to place on our selves. Note they expire 9/22. I understand the supply guru won an award recently,*

I work 3 days a week (12 hour shifts) thus I work w-th/ f, and each week the rules, guidelines, and protocol changes, mostly leaning towards what ever the wealthiest department wants to do, referring to the surgery dEpt. surgery wants COVID19 testing on all its patients gets that testing, if those wealthy surgery doctors want to use an outside laboratory other than hospitals laboratory then that’s what the doctors will get, if nurses want more staff for their shift they get it, Labortory doesn’t get extra staff no matter how busy they get, it is a department that is regulated and documented and nit picked for everything. Medicare/Medicaid is allowed to place laboratory services in a part B plan thus pay for lab test based on lowest possible price, often undercutting the actual costs of the testing. Inequality in a for-profit system is destroying medical care. And all along the multi millionaire CEOs of hospitals, laboratories and don’t forget the insurance providers never provide adequate raises or bonuses to hourly core staff. It should be noted that I’ve been inadequately trained to handle patient registrations, there are 1001 different insurance companies, many not recognized by the computer, and many tests delivered to lab have to be hand registered, a very confusing process.

As of July4, 2020 the coronavirus is still a active pathogen causing a threat to society. The people are confused as to the wearing of masks, is it effective? others are saying, ” but I don’t actually know anyone who was hospitalized or died from this, it must no be that bad.” And all along we have a President who refuses to wear a mask or state any consistency in safety measures. Thus employers, healthcare industry, CDC, WHO, no one giving us a straight consistent information.

The question is why? Why have Corporate CEO allowed this president to make health services impotent? Why are we paid so little for our nursing and laboratory positions, while politicians rake in millions? Why do I have a deep cough, headache, hot and cold flashes and occasional SOB, but no fever, so my hospital employer has not attempted to test me? Well besides, working class people don’t feel sick, what is sick? if it doesn’t hurt bad enough to keep me down for the count then I’m going to work.

The CDC centers for diseases control is no longer a reliable source for guidance regarding COVID19 coronavirus as of July 8th, 2020. Trump the so called leader has corrupted the department of disease. There is an issue regarding schools. can they keep students safe? Our children at risk? Will they need face masks? Eating? Sharing?

The hospitals now report to Trump. The reports of positive and negative test results are now to be rerouted to the Trump administration instead of first being sent to the US Centers for Disease Control. Is that fake news? July 2020 exposes the worst of the Republican Party with COVID19. People are sick, people can’t afford medical care, people and their jobs determine who go to dr. Most jobs don’t pay enough or have adequate insurance coverage to go to a doctor it’s because the insurance industry is a junk system.

On July 12, 2020 Terry Shaw CEO of advent health was on face the nation, spewing propaganda about how his employees are protected and patients are being served during COVID pandemic. Mostly happy business propaganda. Talking from his ivory tower in Florida (known as corrupt republican FL) only this week did I receive an extra PPE a full face shield others requested goggles.

Supplies have been Alarmingly, testing issues have become so severe across the U.S. that people are simply not getting tested, likely out of frustration with delays. In the first week of August, when 50,000 new cases were being reported nationwide each day, testing demand in the U.S. actually fell 9.1%, the equivalent of about half a million tests, from the week earlier. (Time 8/12/20, Emily Barone)

On Aug 14 answered employer survey regarding safety and concerns about work environment. Is it a healthy environment? Is it a safe environment? This is part of the corporate happy propaganda theme, I don’t really know what it proves or suggests.

I am a worker, my life choices are limited by financial barriers, if I do the wrong thing I risk financial peril. As a child I thought going to college would secure my middle class lifestyle but sadly politicians and wealthy corporations made choices that boxed workers in, as we know wages are stagnant but not for CEOs. I wasn’t expecting to be filthy rich just thought I’d be able to own a house, send kids to good school, and drive a decent vehicle, and look forward to the same retirement money my father and his father enjoyed from a pension. During my 30 years I have filed bankruptcy 3 times, nearly lost the house to foreclosure but used 401k to keep the house, while my kids failed to thrive in public schools through it all. My hopes and dreams have been squashed, now I just want to survive to the next day, being able to retire comfortably is just a fantasy nothing I can reasonably expect to afford. my employer wants to know if I’m happy, safe and content with my work/home balance. It’s a joke, we’re expected to play along, act happy, appear healthy, and don’t make a mistake or you lose everything. So yes I’m exhausted.

Talked to old friend Luda from CRL she says they’ve been tested twice since June, some workers were found to be a symptomatic.

As of September 8, 2020, the covid 19 is still rising in America it is rising in Missouri cases of infection rising in Kansas. schools have open, today’s the first day of school; the news is still just suggesting that people wear a mask and they are starting to ramp up enthusiasm for a vaccine, which they say is right around the corner; it’ll be ready to be packaged out to hospital workers, police officers, front line people. I am skeptical about taking a vaccine that is less than a year in the making.

I would prefer that the vaccine be tested on many other people before it gets tested on me. I am not a guinea pig for the rich man, for capitalism. they say the CEO, who gets over $1 million a year, is paid that great amount because he or she takes the greatest risk in a business; well, if I’m dead, I certainly don’t understand what the hundred thousand dollar bonus did for that CEO, because I see no benefits for me.

City and county officials have made the wrong decision for communities since the beginning of the first American city. Back then they voted for all elm trees that only produce pollen to line the streets because fruit trees produce debri that needs a budget for cleaning. Those trees are number one cause of asthma and allergies. I expect officials in charge of mass health concerns like the CDC are making financial decisions at the risk of the people’s lives. And it’s wrong. Study science.

What Can We Do?

1. Sponsor local high school science club ( chemistry, biology, health) provide support for homecoming activities and scholarships .

2020 will be the year we saw that property is more important to our government than people.

Essential workers like hospital workers were burdened by misinformation regarding COVID, how it is transmitted, to how to control it.

After a long spring summer and fall of COVID19 AdventHealth finally provided N95 masks on November 28, 2020. This is a little late in the season. But now we have additional masks.

To be fair we have testing kits as of December but doctors not ordering test. Witnessed many who came into ER twice one day for mental status change, but first visit no Covid test ordered but second visit a positive test was found . Vaccine also available. But scheduling for the vaccine has been an issue. First come first served and I missed the first offering. Then feared taking the vaccine so based on Revelations of the Bible I’m declining. We threw patients Covid samples away if name date or doctors information was missing or wrong.

January 27, 2021 another year, a new President and we still have mass confusion on COVID19. In the early part of January 12, 2021 I got the first dose of the Moderno vaccine I’m expected to get a second shot on February 9. I’ve been tested for a N95 mask. But will only wear a n95 for entering respiratory isolation rooms. It’s not required otherwise. I wear a sponge face mask under a surgical mask I feel this gives me the best protection.

there have been over 400,000 deaths to COVID19 in the United States. While a new strain is picking up steam. Went to my moms for her Jan 26 birthday and her neighbor came over with a gift but wasn’t wearing a mask and commented how she can’t breathe wearing one. I told her I work at hospital I always wear a mask. So the general public still taking a lax view.

The emergency room physicians are still confused or misinformed regarding COVID19 testing basically the protocol has change several times, that doctors now have protocols reversed or steps crossed from previous guidelines. And I tried to tell a ER doctor there was a test available for testing her patients but she was insistent on ordering the other COVID19 test which I no longer had supplies for because protocol had changed. Doctor said I was argumentative so I let her order the test she wanted. I went home in tears, I never meant to cause an argument with a doctor god I never even speak to these people other than yes, dr, that test will be done STAT. Or, Dr I’m calling because your patient has a critical value. I rely on the doctor knowing the correct test to order, then I just work on performing the test. I don’t tell you what test to order but with COVID19 the rules change the manufacture changes, the testing sites change, the doctors symptoms for when to order have changed, who performs the testing has changed. Many things have changed and a change occurs every week.

I’m anticipating the new Biden administration will smooth the communications. Although republican like ideas hate socialized medicine a little stream lining, attention to detail and strict guidelines for use of science could greatly improve healthcare.

Today March 11, 2021, it’s been exactly 1 year since COVID19 was called a pandemic. Vaccines are being administered many cities are seeing reductions in infected positive. Nursing home are starting to let visitors in and many hospitals have stopped checking people at door for fever.

“For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭WMB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1209/eph.6.12.wmb

On July 2021 hospital announced market adjustments to wage, this added about $3 to my hourly pay. It was a nice surprise, however it seems our wage is still $5 short.

Covid delta is picking up at least 9 died in last week and the icu is full as of August 12, 2021. This new variant is affecting children as well as unvaccinated adults. The infection in vaccinated is mild. Still republican governor’s are impeding the science and blocking efforts to protect the public with misinformation. Missouri is one of the culprits. While hospitals forge on with construction plans and growth.

In November 2021 my employer announce a Kansas goal to add more income to the teams that worked through the pandemic, the money set aside by the State of Kansas was given to the Kansas employer to divide as they wanted because they did so in an unequal manner. While some departments were given a bonus, other departments were given a double bonus and an additional amount was added to their hourly wage. The division was hurtful to the laboratory where many were not valued to receive the double bonus and none were given the additional hourly wage. It looks suspicious. I have no words; my only hope is to end my reliance on working for a corporation that values their laboratory staff so little

On december 3 2021 work sent out notice of suspension of cms vaccine mandate. This was brought on by a federal court to block the vaccine mandate. Although my employer believes the vaccine is the safest and effective tool to fight the virus and encourage all to get vaccinated they are suspending any action to enforce a mandatory vaccine.

Omicron variant in kansas dec 23, 2021

It continues, mandates and Cdc changes: on jan 12 2022 the us supreme court ruled fed osha mandates apply to 100+ employees and medical workers require vaccination.

June 7, 2022. Covid still infecting community. A new variant detected, in current lab about 3 a day are positive, down from when 15 or more were positive per day.

However, a new disease has entered the scene, it is Monkey virus, news is happy to report on it, that is show pictures, the effect to the skin is gross, very little is reported about specific outbreaks or precautions are not being addressed.

As my employer has kept water fountains covered and require I and patients use face masks, on feb 1 2023 President Biden announces he is ending the pandemic on March 11, 2023. Data suggest that Covid infections ate at 11%, with 500 persons dying a day. Our hospital ER is always busy with Positive Covid cases and Flu A, and RSV. Employer has still not added any new staff, and several more coworkers have quit/resigned due to stress.

I myself have been dealing with severe stress issues that have caused permanent issues with my health. There has been damage to my teeth because of stress caused by excessive work demands, a severe stomach ached and severe headache caused me to collapse at work and admitted to the ER where it was discovered I had hypertension. That hypertension was comfirmed by my primary care physician who then discovered the condition had adverse affects on my kidneys. I now have kidney disease and blood test taken every three months indicate my kidneys are getting worse. In addition, another stress producing ailment is shingles, I now have a very bad case of herpes Whitlow on the tips of my fingers, painful lessens on my fingers that wont go away and interferes with my ability to work. Typing is painful, opening jars is painful, touching patients is painful unknown if contamination possibly infectious to others.

I have noticed that the majority if repeat patients U draw blood from weekly or frequently, have all started to show cold sores on their lips. However, I am always gloved and I rarely see patients without a mask, but in recent days more patients are being lax with the mask allowing it to fall forward while wearing it or some need to pull it off when the phlebotomy procedure makes them SOB.

Profits of corporations still dictating and destroying the pursuit of happiness in America.