Battling COVID-19

Operation Covid-19 BAttle 2020 Location: 35.864276, -90.639051 NEA Baptist Employees: 2122 New Hires march - October 2020: 383 Physicians: 135 APPs: 57 PPE Used March - October 2020 N95 Masks: 21,007 Face-shields: 8,337

2020 has ushered in the first world-wide pandemic of its kind since 1918, with the introduction of COVID-19.

It has been over a 100 years since a disease has brought this level of widespread devastation. Described as a novel disease because it had not previously been discovered/detected, it has managed to flourish despite our advances in technology and available resources.

I have been able to witness the progression of the disease from my position within the medical community of Northeast Arkansas. I have worked alongside some of the most dedicated, talented, and valiant individuals within the medical field.

Initially, we were not affected to the extent of some of the larger cities in the US and thus were afforded the opportunity to witness the devastation unleashed by this new disease from a distance. Since its introduction, it has quickly wreaked havoc on so many communities before our number of cases increased. No one knew much about this disease other than people were becoming ill and dying at what appeared to be astronomical rates.

There was no obvious way to prevent health care professionals from falling ill, as personal protective equipment was not abundant. It would have been easy for many to withdraw and avoid putting themselves in harms way. Yet, despite the unknown and with the inherent risk, I witnessed the medical staff of this community willingly accept the challenge and continue their commitment and devotion to care for those who were ill.

I recall speaking with a relatively new nurse who faithfully volunteered to care for patients with COVID-19. She stated she signed up to take care of those were sick and in need of medical attention. As long as she is healthy, she told me, she will plan to do whatever it takes to care for someone who needs her help.

I have found that no matter who I spoke to in the field, from nurse or physician to patient escort or custodial staff, the response was always the same without hesitation. This was the resounding theme throughout our medical community, to be dedicated to helping others no matter the stakes. The true measure of a person’s dedication is not how they perform when everything smooth and easy but how they respond in face of a storm.

These are true heroes, and I have been fortunate to work alongside them.

Battling COVID-19 continued to page 18D

Rodney Clark, Jr., MD NEA Baptist Hospitalist 870.936.1000