Interview with a nurse

 A couple of weeks ago, I was at a dinner at my church and I ran into an old manager/dear friend of mine. She is also a nurse, works in assisted living. She had told me about all the happenings going on since covid; they lost about 40 residents to the virus when it first came about. While combating the virus as best as they could, many of their staff were walking out in droves. She said one day over half of the day's staff just walked out. Most evenings run with only one nursing assistant per long term floor...which is about 20 to 25 residents. Many of the nurses are working 16 hours a shift due to short staffed floors. My friend has worked many of those shifts, one shift equaling 20 hours. I could see the look in her eyes, even with a mask on. The despair, the exhaustion, the frustration. 

"I don't want to be a nurse anymore," she told me. And my response was I didn't blame her. 

Another friend of mine, her dad is an ER physician. She said he told her staff morale is the lowest he had ever seen in his career. I said I didn't blame them either. We're totally drained. We've given 110% to our patients and co-workers, now 17 months into this pandemic. And it doesn't seem like there is an end to this anytime soon. The vaccines are now out and readily available, but many are still reluctant to get it despite the countless ions of research that has been done to show their efficacy. People are still crying out "it's an infringement on my rights!" or "you can't make me!" or "it's all a hoax!" Still. Yes, still. I'm more exhausted trying to educate those who are continuing to spread their lies, misinformation and just false nonsense to the world. I've had to take time off social media just to get away from it all. I've unfollowed and unfriended many. 

I'm just ready for this to be over. I'm tired of fighting this disease and the anger and stupidity it has bred in others. My friend and my friend's dad said the same thing: "I wish covid was over. I wish people would just get the vaccine." I'm getting my booster in 2 days. Doing my part. Do yours.