I have simultaneously been both amazed and bewildered by Americans’ responses to this fight. Some, too few perhaps, have repeatedly put themselves in harms’ way. Others…
Thankfully, tonight, it was the former.
I just spent the last 30 minutes talking to Delia Rhinehart, CRNA, and Shannon Nelson, CRNA. Delia and Shannon are from Memphis and Knoxville, Tennessee. They are here in Jersey taking care of critically ill COVID-19 pts. Like Honey Badger, they don’t give shit.
I asked how they got here. They said, “by car”, and then said, “I raised my hand.”
I was amazed and re-energized. Suddenly, Arya had help to battle the White Walkers. Even brave, I waited for this disease to come to me; Delia and Shannon didn’t wait, they volunteered.
When the first few COVID-19 patients were assigned to a different infectious disease group, Susan, my wife, asked me if I was disappointed. I said, “No way.” Three days later, I saw my first COVID-19 patient. Today, 5 weeks later, I saw my 181st.
The other day I was talking to a good friend. She suggested that I wasn’t afraid to see COVID-19 pts initially because of my training. I said, “No, that’s not accurate. I was afraid. I was afraid I would get sick. Worse, I was afraid I would bring home the disease and infect my wife, children and nephew.”
But I, and, by extension, my family, had signed up for this. Ok…not for this, no way I ever saw this pandemic as a possibility. Still, if not my family and I, then who?
Delia and Shannon raised their hands. They said they would put themselves in harm’s way to help people they don’t know from a state they have never been.
That’s AMERICA. That’s what I am talking about.
Thank you, Delia and Shannon. You showed me today that the U.S.A. I know and love, the 1st amendment, the right to assemble, the right to say “Fuck you!” to anyone you want, or, in this case, to any virus you want to, is still alive. And most importantly, the obligation to help those who need help.
A government of the people, by the people, and for the people will never save as many as those Americans, those like Delia and Shannon.
God Bless America.