COVID-19: Our Generation Pandemic and the Lessons of Our Time Part I

The last pandemic was in 1918. It is safe to say that there are very few people living today who experienced that catastrophic global event. Therefore, very few of us alive have any personal, emotional or clinical reference points about dealing with or clinically, treating a unique killer pandemic virus such as COVID-19.

COVID-19 introduced itself on the world stage with a vicious vengeance. COVID-19’s mission is to kill indiscriminately, as many people in her way as possible. However, as COVID-19 presents humanity with existential challenges, it also offers many serious difficult lessons of our time. History shows we will overcome these challenges. But we must not ignore the lessons it presents.  In every difficult condition, often, we ignore presenting vital lessons because we focused primarily, on the agony of the emotional components of the experience. This time, humanity cannot afford to ignore these lessons.

Dogging deep into the spectrum of COVID-19 presenting experiences, I have so much to share and lessons to convey to the rest of us during this COVID-19 pandemic.

For simplicity, I decided to present what I have to share in segmental parts, for focus and less reading at a time. Please share with as many people as possible if what you read or learned from this and my subsequent presentations appeals to you.

Despite many, both intended and unintended commotions thrashed into the clinical care of COVID-19 patients globally, our generation of medical professionals rose to the task of doing what this generation of clinicians do best―saving as many lives possible in time of health crisis.

Make no mistake about this. COVID-19 is our generation’s test on our modern health infrastructure. It is our generation’s test on the character of the people we placed in the positions of local and global leadership. It is also a test of our individual and collective character. More than anything we experience recently, COVID-19 exposes so much about us and where we are today, in our human evolution. It forces us to step back and look at ourselves and each other in the eyes of our souls.  Like every other health crisis in the past, we will overcome this too! But it is the lessons we take from COVID-19 that makes all the difference in the state of our future moving forward.

But first thing, first. In this chaotic time, besieged with so many worthless noises and propaganda, camouflaged as worthy public information, we cannot afford not to pull back and focus on human decency and love. I feel an absolute heartfelt obligation to say thank you, on behalf of all citizens around the world whose many hearts can reach but cannot touch. Thank you, to all first-responders and frontline clinicians as well as, various layers of healthcare support teams.

Thank you, to all of you at the forefront of patient care for COVID-19. We appreciate all of you, from physicians, respiratory therapists, nurses, nurses' assistants/aids, hospital cleaning teams who work tirelessly to clean/sanitize care environments, to those workers who move to mugs, the bodies of our fallen relatives, neighbors and friends. We salute you! We all owe you a debt of gratitude. You are all our brave heroes!

Let us face the fact as we know it. The worst is not over yet. It is difficult to face the truth we have lost many lives of our loved ones in the hand of this monster. The beast has also taken down many of our clinical heroes in the war front battling this beast. Many will still fall. The most painful part of you departing is that we did not hold your hand, kiss you and tell you how much we love you as you moved on. We know that and it hurts like hell. Wherever you are, please know that our hearts were with you and we knew yours were with us, as you moved on to that beautiful place COVID-19 has no power. We carry the sweet and loving memory of all of you. We celebrate your lives, laughter, vibrant attitude, swag, everything that made you who you were. We celebrate all the various gifts you gave to us and people close to you. You and your life missions live on through all of us who will survive and continue this journey.

Let all of us make it a point of duty to support, encourage and motivate in any way we can, those fighting this war. Reach out to every single one of them you know. Express every chance you get, your gratitude for the work they do for all of us. Let them know and feel in their hearts, how much we all appreciate their act of bravery as well as, their selfless gifts to humanity. While they are on duty, check on their loved ones regularly if you can by phone calls or sending text messages of care, love, and support. Take to their shifts, water, tea, food, and safety supplies if you can and it is safe to do so.

Most importantly, we must do all we can as citizens to lessen their already enormous clinical care burden by avoiding infection exposures, practicing social distancing, implementing all health precautions and hygiene practices infectious experts prescribe for staying safe. Observing these health practices do not only save our lives, but it also saves the lives of others. When we hold ourselves to appropriate health responsibilities, it lessens their workload and makes it much easier for clinicians in the frontline to save even, more lives. Please remain safe and healthy where you are!

Please be aware that blood donation is currently at an all-time low globally. Blood donation is gold now so critical for saving lives this time. If it is safe for you to donate blood where you are, please do so. This is a public outcry for donations of blood for those whose life depends on it for the survival of this pandemic attack.

Please remain safe, healthy and alive! Please help all the hearts that reach to also touch!