Thread by @PulmCrit

we need to talk about a really painful topic - deaths of essential workers & what we can do to prevent them. this discussion is often framed in terms of physicians or healthcare workers, but it applies to *all* essential workers (grocery store clerks, janitors, etc). (1/5)

with COVID there is a natural tendency towards denialism. bad things happened in China and Italy, but they won't happen here. this leads us to behave in a reactive, rather than pro-active fashion. we end behind the virus, struggling to catch up. (2/5)

it is increasingly clear that many essential workers will become infected and die. this site catalogues a shocking number of healthcare workers who have died so far. prompt action is needed to prevent this list from growing further (3/5)
medscape.com/viewarticle/92…

more & better PPE is the most important intervention needed. unfortunately, the reality is that this problem cannot be fixed overnight. maximal effort is needed on this front, but shortages are still likely to occur (4/5)
#GetMePPE

another intervention which needs to be immediately considered is identifying high-risk people and minimizing their exposure. this may not be feasible during disease surges, but it should be pursued to the extent possible. (5/5)
(pre-print: bit.ly/2RF4Kgn)