Our guest is Dr. Chuck Page, a Texas surgeon (Central Time) via skype or Zoom
Q&A:
Doctor, what is your assessment of where we are now with the COVID 19 pandemic in the US?
The ripples are spreading. Three days ago, I saw the first refrigerator truck was parked in front of our local hospital. The wave of sick people is coming. A disproportionate number of health care providers are contracting the virus. In Italy, 40 doctors have died from COVID 19 and 14% of health care workers have been affected.
Are there some health care workers, who are more prone to contract the virus?
Yes. Those most exposed to infected patients—nurses, respiratory therapist, nursing assistants. Doctors tend to be in and out—and have less contact with COVID 19 patients. But we physicians are exposed to larger number of people during the day. It’s typically the ones you don’t know that get you. (yesterday, in the office—story)
Dr. James Goodrich, a 70-year-old Neurosurgeon, famous for separating conjoined twins, and Kious Kelly, a nurse at Mt. Sinai, both died of virus—shows that COVID 19 is not a respecter of persons.
Doctor, you provide care in an underserved area. What’s the difference between the health care systems in rural America vs. urban area like New York?
Resources. Not just in ventilators. But in medical doctors and health care providers (nurses/Emergency medical service providers/respiratory therapists, etc.). In NY, you may have thirty pulmonary/critical care doctors. Think of a hospital with one pulmonary doctor caring for these sick people around the clock. Transferring patients to larger hospitals with greater resources becomes a challenge because they are full too.
What’s going through your mind of most health care workers?
- Speaking for myself, I’m not as concerned for myself as for my family. Working in health care makes my family more prone to contract the disease.
- Lack of resources—specifically PPE’s
Are there ways to make things safer for health care workers?
Testing and Reporting. I have had Doctors with symptoms who weren’t tested because they didn’t meet criteria. Consider Chloroquine prophylaxis for health care workers.
About Charles Page, MD:
Dr. Page is the best guy to see on the worst day of your life. His book, A Spoonful of Courage for the Sick and Suffering, is a compilation of faith based inspirational stories which helps the ill see the possibilities in problems. The book is offered free on Amazon to give hope, courage and faith to those suffering in the COVID-19 pandemic. His website is Charleswpage.com
