The Struggle Against COVID-19

Every individual is fatigued by this relentless virus; we all wish for its swift departure. However, the reality is grim. Daily, more individuals find themselves in our intensive care unit, struggling to breathe despite receiving treatments like remdesivir and steroids, along with high levels of oxygen. Even when we resort to ventilators, the prognosis remains bleak.

Patients endure immense fear—fear of being unable to breathe, fear of isolation in the hospital, and fear of being subjected to invasive procedures, such as intubation, while masked and alone.

The emotional toll of losing a patient remains unchanged. Families are still barred from being by their loved ones' sides during their final moments. Witnessing this heartbreaking scenario has not become easier over time; the anguish persists, and we all share a collective desire for this disease to vanish.

Community Support: A Diminished Presence

Unfortunately, the situation is deteriorating. The sense of community support that was palpable during the initial wave has dwindled significantly. As healthcare providers, we will continue our work irrespective of external support, but that encouragement was invaluable and is sorely missed.

The statistics in my state and throughout the nation are spiraling out of control:

Source: NY Times

This is an unprecedented disaster, and our national leadership seems to be absent. COVID-19 cases are surging, hospitals—like mine—are nearing capacity, and people are suffering and dying. The situation is dire and worsening.

Acknowledging Pandemic Fatigue

As previously mentioned, there is a palpable sense of exhaustion among the public regarding the pandemic. Those of us on the front lines share this sentiment. The population is experiencing significant pandemic fatigue, yet the virus shows no signs of fatigue or retreat.

Just like top sports teams that maintain their intensity throughout the game, we find ourselves in a critical moment of this pandemic—perhaps the early stages of the third quarter—while we remain significantly behind the virus.

Continuing the Fight

We must remain vigilant and not lower our defenses. “The cavalry is coming,” but we have a long battle ahead. This second wave is indeed far more severe, and we must confront it head-on; there is no alternative.

In the video titled "The Second Wave Is Going To Be Much, Much Worse," experts Dr. Dena Grayson and Pedro da Costa discuss the implications of the second wave and why it poses an even greater threat than the first.

Another insightful video, "Why a second wave of coronavirus could be even worse than the first," further explores the potential challenges and the urgent need for public awareness and action.