Patricia Wyatt-Harris: Wichita medical community grateful for support
The Wichita medical community is extremely grateful for the sacrifices citizens and local businesses have made to help combat COVID-19. Staying at home and practicing social distancing are having a real impact on slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
It is important we keep this up, so we can continue to “flatten the curve,” protect vulnerable citizens and keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed.
The medical community also is grateful for citizens and businesses that have donated personal protective equipment. The Medical Society of Sedgwick County spearheaded one of several donation drives and received thousands of masks and gloves, as well as hand sanitizer and other supplies. (If you wish to donate, contact MSSC at 316-683-7557.)
It’s also impressive and gratifying how many manufacturing companies and makerspaces are working to produce face shields and other equipment. Many other individuals are sewing masks.
Because test supplies are so limited, another way the public can help is by not seeking testing for COVID-19 unless encouraged to do so by their primary care physicians. They should contact their physicians if they have concerns about their symptoms.
Businesses also can help by not requiring employees to be tested for COVID-19 in order to return to work or isolate at home. Again, communication with a primary care physician can help determine if testing is needed.
For their part, our hospitals are aggressively preparing for the pandemic. They have postponed procedures and reorganized their operations in order to conserve supplies and “clear the deck” for COVID-19 patients.
Physicians, nurses, aids and residents have been reassigned to help with a surge. Graduating medical students at KU School of Medicine-Wichita have volunteered to help.
County and city leaders and staff — along with state and federal partners — also are working hard to support this effort, including helping procure and distribute supplies. The Sedgwick County Health Department is instrumental in helping test, track and report on the virus.
The Medical Society formed a committee of physicians to advise the county and keep other physicians informed. It includes infectious disease doctors, emergency medicine specialists, intensive care physicians, and others directly involved in caring for COVID-19 patients.
Many other health care workers — including those in home health and nursing homes — also are putting themselves at risk in caring for others. So are EMS personnel and first responders.
All these workers are grateful for the support they are receiving, including the prayers, positive social media posts and other shows of encouragement. This means a lot during this difficult time.
Health care workers are on the front lines battling COVID-19, but they can’t do it alone. Thank you for your support and for doing your part.