Unmasking Missoula's Front Lines

Having a hard time with the #shelterinplace order? Imagine being on the front lines as a healthcare worker—not having the luxury of staying home to shield yourself from the novel COVID-19 virus. For the hundreds of healthcare workers in Missoula who have to expose themselves to the risk, they’re also struggling with the dilemma of having to separate themselves from their families and loved ones to avoid the possibility of transmitting the virus to them.

Both of my husband’s sisters are nurses at a local hospital in Missoula and are on the front lines of this current healthcare crisis. I have always had great admiration them as healthcare professionals. They work long hours and give up their holidays to care for others. Since I’m a mom of four, they’ve also been my go-to when I’ve been worried about one of my own children feeling ill. They’ve even been there to take stitches out of one of my rambunctious, accident prone children who got injured—because it’s so much cooler to have your aunt be your nurse.

As each day passes during this epidemic, I worry about when they will be affected by this virus as they go to work everyday and perform their duties as nurses. But the reality is, they’ve already been impacted. One is immune-compromised and while she’s always been strong-willed, I know this is likely weighing on her. The other is a single parent raising two children and recently decided to send them to stay with another family member to avoid the very real possibility of transmitting COVID-19 to them should she become infected.

Listening to my sister-in-law talk about making that heart-breaking decision in order to keep her kids safe made me think about the other healthcare professionals having to make sacrifices during this time.  In effort to provide the human perspective behind our heroes in healthcare, we’re unmasking the front lines by sharing their thoughts, feelings and experiences:

Amy, a Physical Therapist Assistant in Missoula said she’s,

“ Doing well and still seeing my patients who appreciate us more than ever now!!!”

Gina, an Emergency Room Nurse writes,

“It’s a terrifying time to be going to the hospital for work. Everyone is concerned about what we are exposed to and what we may potentially bring home to our families. Rule out COVID patients require so much isolation and protective equipment that nurses get “stuck” in those rooms for so long. When we have several of them in the department they can pretty easily take up all of our staff.

Amid all the chaos, I do hear staff expressing feeling thankful to still have jobs, because that is not the case for everyone. It’s too bad that our job feels so unsafe right now. I hate to think of any of my co-workers or their families contracting this virus, but I’m sure it will happen. That is a sobering reality.

I hope this will lead to some permanent, positive changes in how health care functions. I also hope we all learn to appreciate each other more out of this situation. I love my job. I always love it. I am just looking forward to a time when it doesn’t feel so dangerous.”

We know that healthcare professionals are amongst some of the most devoted, compassionate individuals in our community but they’re also trying to stay strong amidst their own personal concerns dealing with this epidemic. A Missoula Certified Medical Assistant shared this concern with us:

“The last 2 weeks has been some of the toughest work I've done as a healthcare worker. With everything I've seen working in medical, COVID-19 is the thing that broke the camel's back. I'm not the type of person who likes or needs recognition for doing my job. But with all the negativity and pure selflessness involving people's reactions is sickening. Healthcare workers brains are wired to provide care for our patients and those around us. We put the needs of others ahead of our own. We never know what we may come in contact with on a daily basis and yet, we charge in head first. We always know there are risks but they seem to be placed on hold to care for our patients. But recently I find myself questioning, why go to work? Why help others? Why put myself and my family at risk? When others can't follow simple rules to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. Why should I care so much about protecting strangers when those strangers don't care about protecting me? Emotionally drained!!!!!”

By now, you have already heard that staying home is the best way to help our healthcare workers #flattenthecurve. Another Missoula nurse offers her reassurance on this:

“We are now in the calm before the storm.... I sincerely pray the storm does not come to Missoula. Please, please shelter and stay. If you have symptoms of any kind, assume it’s is “the virus” and self-isolate immediately. Try to manage fever, respiratory effort, hydration, and pain first at home. If you need help, call your PCP [Primary Care Provider] for appropriate triage and then go where directed and follow the protocols. Do not go to the ED [Emergency Department] unless you really are in a life threatening situation. While we want to help and support you when you are most at need, the desire “just to know” what you have puts everyone at risk. We are also aware of the ways isolation affects individuals and the community as a whole. There are virtual avenues for mental health support available. We are trying to be creative and available without being face-to-face. We want to help see you through.

Every life is valuable. Every person has opportunity to help stop the spread. Thank you for helping us help you.”       

Courtesy of Dawn Rohrbach