COVID-19

This is not the post I anticipated writing when I started this blog. But the world has done its thing and gone for a big swooping change, and we must all roll with that. Together.

The last few weeks have been confusing, unnerving, and let’s be honest, pretty scary. As a doctor working in an emergency department I am suddenly the face of reassurance for hundreds of people. I am expected to reassure them about something I know hardly anything about.

I am expected to reassure them, despite fearing deeply for my own loved ones.

And yes, I am expected to reassure them despite fearing deeply for myself.

Because underneath the scrubs I too am a human being, who experiences fear.

And uncertainty.

And dread.

And trepidation.

In exactly the same way as each and every patient staring back at me.

And so it seems ridiculous that whilst working on the front line with countless other incredible colleagues, I find that my biggest source of anxiety right now is being ridiculed for telling people to lock themselves down.

At a time when there is already ample anxiety. Ample stress. Ample uncertainty.

Over the last few days, as more and more real-time experience is emerging, from Italy in particular, the medical world in Australia have been desperately trying to get the message out there, that COVID-19 is serious. A strongly worded open letter to governments was released by Australian doctors on Tuesday, demanding the country implement “strict lockdown and social distancing” in an effort to contain the spread.

Members of the non-medical community are confused, because the demands in this letter are far stricter than government restrictions so far.

So what are we telling you to do?

• For the next two weeks at this stage, put yourself and your family in lock down.
• Stay at home wherever possible.
• If you do go outside, for example to get groceries (which you will still be able to do) practice social distancing. This means staying 1.5m away from other people. Avoid physical contact.
• Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs.
• Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.
• Wash your hands more often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser when entering and leaving buildings, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food.

The peak of this pandemic has not yet hit our country. In the absence of this peak, these measures seem extreme.

They are not extreme.

They are necessary.

If we do not implement strict lockdown and social distancing measures now, then by the time this pandemic does peak, it will be at crippling numbers that will overwhelm our healthcare system. And that is precisely what we are trying to avoid, by asking you to lockdown now.

We’ve seen some pretty scary behaviour emerging over the last few weeks. Fights in supermarkets. Panic-bulk-buying of countless items. This behaviour needs to stop. It is fear perpetuating fear, and for absolutely no reason.

We have enough supplies. We have enough food.

We are all in this together, whether you like it or not. It’s one planet. And we all share it. And COVID-19 is here. The time to fight the spread of this disease is now. But only if we ALL do our part.

Make the decision to be calm.

Make the decision to be good.

Make the decision to stick together.

And above all, make the decision to be kind.

We are all going to need a helping hand.

Eva x