Disclaimer: I know that I can't control what people post on this forum, but I'm asking that we keep the discussion as apolitical and health-centered as possible. I know there are a lot of strong opinions about police brutality, protests, and riots/vandalism/looting. If you're interested to hear people's thoughts on those topics, there's an interesting, non-healthcare discussion in the US Politics Club on AN:
Is anybody else seriously concerned that we might see a large surge in covid cases following all of these protests?
Last week, people were yelling on the TV about how irresponsible it was to begin Phases I/II and let people gather in groups of 10. Now, literally tens of thousands of people are gathering, and the media/public seem shockingly unconcerned. I feel like I'm getting social distancing policy whiplash.
Most of the protest pictures I've seen depict protesters wearing masks and attempting to follow covid guidelines. However, there are a ton of pics of people wearing masks incorrectly (under their noses or chins), and it's pretty much impossible to socially distance in protest/riot conditions. It seems like a nearly impossible environment to practice good hand hygiene. Plus, people are out yelling/chanting and projecting their droplets even further. I'm just so glad that they're outside instead of in a confined space.
I fully support peoples' right to demonstrate, and I generally support the protesters' rhetoric, but this seems like a recipe for disaster. With covid concerns still lingering, it seems like the worst possible time for people to be out congregating.
I'm especially worried about covid having a vastly disproportionate on black communities by the time this is all over. By now, we've probably all seen the data showing that African Americans are dying from covid at disproportionately higher rates than other races. Even if high-risk people are staying home from protests, I fear that protests could increase the spread through communities by contact with protesters. Of course, once it's out circulating in the community, the virus will be harmful to people of all races. To be perfectly honest, I also worry about huge outbreaks through the police force, too.
Even before all of this began, many states were starting Phase I/II despite an increasing numbers of cases. My state had the biggest spike we'd ever seen the day before Phase II started, and we went ahead with Phase II anyway (just before Memorial Day, when a ton of people were out socializing and ignoring distancing orders). It seems like the protests will fuel the spread of covid even further.
Outside of the big metro areas, most cities had relatively tiny covid surges since the stay at home orders were so effective. It seems like the smaller impact has lulled citizens of those cities/states into a false sense of security. I'm concerned that places like Minneapolis, which experienced a smaller impact the first go around, are going to see huge, unprecedented surges and start running out of beds/vents.
Here in Houston, a whopping sixty thousand people showed up tonight for the George Floyd memorial.
Remember: The same Corona-obsessed people who were calling the Reopen America crowd "covidiots", "a threat to our national security", and saying that it was perfectly constitutional to send in the National Guard to force us to quarantine are conspicuously silent now. Why won't they advocate calling in the National Guard to stop the looters? Because apparently to them, wanting to work in public is a "public health hazard" but stealing and congregating in public is AOK
Racism is a public health issue.
“Certain” members of the Reopen America crowd are indeed “covidiots.” ... “I need a haircut!” versus “I can’t breath” - Dare I say the two are not equivocal?
Racism is a public health issue? By that logic, not having any INCOME is a public health issue too! Heck, you can rationalize anything into a public health issue!
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
37 minutes ago, A Hit With The Ladies said:
Racism is a public health issue? By that logic, not having any INCOME is a public health issue too! Heck, you can rationalize anything into a public health issue!
The fact that you do not think racism is a public health issue is exactly why it is a public health issue.
Racism is a public health issue? By that logic, not having any INCOME is a public health issue too! Heck, you can rationalize anything into a public health issue!
Back to square one soon,buy your toilet paper,get your loved ones out of those nursing homes,pray for the LYSOL fairy to leave a bottle under your pillow.I am so angry,it was beginning to show a bright light after all these months and now this. We have had deaths and we could not even attend funeral or comfort our family.We are worried not being able to tend to the sick and vulnerable.Now resources will be more limited and I am sure certain countries are having a good ole laugh at our expense.
As a veteran of 60's "protests" and union strikes,walk ins ,walk outs ,abuse by hospital administrations,I pray we all come to our senses.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
5 hours ago, A Hit With The Ladies said:
Racism is a public health issue? By that logic, not having any INCOME is a public health issue too! Heck, you can rationalize anything into a public health issue!
One individual's ignorance on a topic is not proof that the topic is without evidence or value. Nice try though...
So basically the term "public health" really stands for everything and anything you want it to. Racism is a social and political issue. What would you do from a public health perspective, anyway? Give lower income black patients preferential treatment in care facilities? Refuse to provide medical care to KKK and white supremacists? Health care is health care.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
A Hit With The Ladies, as a young adult and newer nurse you have a lot to learn which only comes from the lived experiences of caring for patients and family. These experiences have shown me that the black/white guidelines from childhood have a larger amount of grey.
Broadcast stations, newspapers and local Philadelphia, PA websites have repeatedly warned that large protest gatherings can increase spread of COVID-19, encouraging mask wearing and social distancing. ABC's World News tonight just broadcast feature with this info.
Viewing Philadelphia protests, you will see all police and most protesters, including looters having masks on. The recent numerous killings of Blacks by police just set a simmering pot into boiling overflow, especially after 2 months home confinement due to virus.
Philadelphia Inquirer
6/2/20
Philadelphia officials tell protesters to get tested for coronavirus or stay home
P.S.: I don't fit the "Karen meme" mentality, having organized and led a nursing rally in Philadelphia in the past. Virus kept me @ home; letter writing and phone contacting legislators even more effective along with VOTING.
As you obviously know, the public health officials said that masking alone was insufficient in limiting the spread of Coronavirus. Social distancing (6+ feet) is also required. Do you really think the protesters and the looters observed that? As the TV footage showed, that is clearly not the case.
Zero condemnation from the Corona-obsessed against the protesters or the looters. Because in America, whenever you make a protest about racial issues, you are immediately inviolable and beyond reproach. I bet these protesters could have gone unmasked (which happened in many places) and they still would be given a pass. I would have loved to seen some of those self-righteous nurses, masked up, blocking the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters with signs saying "Stay home! Coronavirus!" But again, it's all political, so these Corona-obsessed people will cynically turn a blind eye to a protester- or looter-driven second wave of infections as long as these same people vote Democrat in November.
So basically the term "public health" really stands for everything and anything you want it to. Racism is a social and political issue. What would you do from a public health perspective, anyway? Give lower income black patients preferential treatment in care facilities? Refuse to provide medical care to KKK and white supremacists? Health care is health care.
You really are a black and white, no shades of gray kind of guy ... aren’t ya?
I take it that no matter how many links anyone posts from any reputable post, you won’t read any of them ... you’ll just keep saying the same thing you say in every thread ... coronavirus Karen, blah blah blah liberal government blah ...
So.... going back to the topic at hand... yes, I do think there'll be more COVID cases and a "second wave" of infections. The protesters and looters can quarantine themselves for the second wave. No stimulus monies whatsoever for them staying home. Especially the looters.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
ABC News.com
Quote
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday urged protesters to get a COVID-19 test, warning that the protests could cause a spike in cases because one person could infect hundreds
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pixierose, BSN, RN
882 Posts
Racism is a public health issue.
“Certain” members of the Reopen America crowd are indeed “covidiots.” ... “I need a haircut!” versus “I can’t breath” - Dare I say the two are not equivocal?