On the Record

Nicholas Schou is an award-winning investigative journalist and author of several books, including Orange Sunshine and Kill the Messenger. If you have tips or stories about Montecito, please email him at newseditor@montecitojournal.net Cottage Hospital Update

It’s been more than three months since the scary reality of the coronavirus threat began to sink in with public officials in California, and unfortunately, the pandemic shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, recent reports suggest the virus is not only spreading thanks to lackluster social-distancing efforts by sun-worshipping millennials, but is possibly even mutating.

Clearly the best thing you can do for your health and those of your loved ones right now is to stay home, and when you have to go outside, avoid crowds and wear a mask at all times. That said, a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that almost half (48 percent) of adults say that they or someone in their household have postponed or skipped appointments with their doctors because of fears of contracting the virus. Most medical facilities have discontinued elective surgeries during the pandem

Dr. Robin Malone, Cottage ER physician ic, however Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is an exception.

Moreover, the facility has taken substantial measures to protect both patients and staff during this time, so if you feel sick or otherwise need to go to the emergency room, do not hesitate to do so. “Cottage continues to be

ready 24/7 to provide safe care for all our patients,” said Dr. Brett Wilson, Cottage Hospital’s Medical Director of Emergency Medicine. “Medical conditions happen despite a pandemic. Please know that the same high level or care is still happening at Cottage, for every patient.”

Among the safety measures that Cottage has adopted are: pre-screening for all patients who present themselves for emergency treatment, with an outdoor tented area set up to handle any cases that don’t require admission to the building. Also, anyone who shows symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be immediately quarantined in an isolation ward pending further testing and treatment after entering a negative pressure room where the airflow is reversed so that

Ultraviolet robots in action at Cottage Hospital

any airborne virus they bring with them doesn’t escape outside.

While anyone entering the facility must wear face masks, precautions don’t stop there, as several state-ofthe-art disinfectant protocols have been introduced throughout the facility, including ultraviolet light generating robots that disinfect all rooms used for handling patients. Very Star Wars, right?

According to Dr. Robin Malone, a Cottage Hospital emergency care physician, many people who are showing up for treatment have admitted that they only did so as a last resort, which she views as a disturbing trend. “Too many people are having emergencies but are waiting too long before they

ON THE RECORD Page 334

Transition House is dedicated to the solution of family homelessness in Santa Barbara. www.transitionhouse.com

Thank you!

23rd Annual Mad Hatter Luncheon A Benefit for Transition House’s Programs for Children We are grateful for all the sponsors and donors who generously maintained their support despite the luncheon’s cancellation. Our deepest thanks to our dedicated Transition House Auxiliary who worked hard to plan the event to raise money to benefit children experiencing homelessness. $5,000 – Mad Hatter Becky & Pete Adams • Lynda Fairly • Kathy & Garth Nobis • S&S Seeds • Missy & Chuck Sheldon

$2,500 – King of Hearts DailyOM • Montecito Bank & Trust • The Towbes Group

William & Kathy Borgers James & Patricia Buckley Bunnin Chevrolet Cadillac Marisa & Brett Grimes Elizabeth Leddy

$1,000 – Queen of Hearts Jane Macedo de Veer and Karel de Veer Northern Trust Thomas & Charmaine Rogers Rudi Schulte Family Foundation Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center

State Farm Companies Foundation Sunni Thomas Diane and Ron White Anna and Don Ylvisaker Yoga Soup

$500 – Cheshire Cat

American Riviera Bank Kristin Linehan Kat Hosey Penny Mathison Jean Keely Mary O’Neill Ruth Hardee Kovacs Tileco Distributors, Inc. Lens Floor Covering of Santa Barbara

Donors up to $500

BMW of Santa Barbara • Meridian Group Real Estate Management • Richard Stein, DDS