FEATURE

Photo Courtesy of Sharon Bistodeau

Above: (Left) Plastic is put over the doors to protect against contamination in the COVID sanctioned hall. (Right) A nurse in their typical protective gear.

individuals who contract the Coronavirus. Many healthcare professionals have stepped away from their specialties to be on the frontlines of COVID which is mentally and emotionally draining work.

Today’s technology allows people to easily be connected with each other, but it still does not offer the same feeling as holding the hand of a sick loved one. This disease is not only physically taxing, but has a major psychological impact on both patients and hospital staff. “Patients are put in rooms by themselves without family coming to visit,” Bistodeau said.“I know nurses that are the strongest nurses I’ve ever met in my whole life and they break down and bawl because of this.”

If you were to come into the hospital as a COVID patient, you would be isolated with no family members or visitors. “These patients are scared. They don’t have anybody’s hand to hold except for our hand that has a glove on it.” Bistodeau said when painting a picture of what a COVID patient experiences. “You’re masked up and they don’t even know who you are...Nobody can see your smile. Nobody can see your tears.” This aspect is heartbreaking for the nurses who directly come in contact with the individuals who have COVID.

Erin Binnall, the Manager of Community Development and Public Information Officer for Bonner General Health wants people to feel safe coming to the hospital. “We don’t want to scare people away either because people need routine medical care.” she said, “People are having heart attacks, they’re having strokes, there are traumas, and we’re still here to service them.” Binnall feels that this is why it is important that people practice personal responsibility and be mindful of others so those in need of medical care can get the attention they need.

Bistodeau emphasized that the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from the virus is by washing your hands and wearing a mask. “You’re a hero by putting that mask on,” Bistodeau said. “We need to quit politicizing this stuff. It’s a healthcare issue.” Binall stressed that the Coronavirus is undeniably real and is not something that should not be ignored by young people. “We are caring for younger, middle aged individuals who have had no comorbidities, are in ICU, and have been in ICU for over 2 weeks” Binnall said, putting the seriousness of the disease in perspective. “It hits anybody differently” she said, “You don’t know how it’s going to affect anybody”

According to Panhandle Health Districts data, in the last five years, there have been less than 60 deaths caused by the flu in the region, whereas there have been over 90 deaths caused by the Coronavirus in the last 8 months. COVID has caused hospitals around the country to be overwhelmed and at maximum capacity. Every bed in Bonner General Health’s COVID pod is full with only a few beds available in the whole hospital at a time. If the regional hospitals such as Kootenai Health and Sacred Heart reach maximum capacity, Bonner General has nowhere to send their patients, so they have to do their best to treat them whether they have the capabilities to care for them or not.

“I think now more than ever, our healthcare community and our health care workers need community support.” Binnall said. From when COVID was just beginning, to now reaching over 200 cases in the region, health care professionals have needed support and understanding from the community. Binnall expressed, “Now is the time where we need to pull together and be there for one another and be mindful and be kind and be the wonderful small Bonner County community that we’ve always been.”

“I think now, more than ever, our healthcare community and our health care workers need community support.” -Erin Binnall