Thread
There have been 2 types of #covid19 cases at the bedside that have been very tough
1/ those who literally *cannot* social distance bc of immense social challenges
2/ those who did not social distance bc they chose not to
cc @bmj_latest
blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/04/29…
There have been 2 types of #covid19 cases at the bedside that have been very tough
1/ those who literally *cannot* social distance bc of immense social challenges
2/ those who did not social distance bc they chose not to
cc @bmj_latest
blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/04/29…
3/ We are seeing the failure to address inequities resurface all over the world. Today in @nytimes w/ #Singapore migrant workers who are cramped together in tiny living quarters.
4/And in this important work from friend @rkwadhera in @JAMA_current looking at the excessive #covid19 deaths in the Bronx (which is poorer than other boroughs w/ more vulnerable populations). #Covid19 kills, but so do poverty, racism & failed systems
5/ My friend and colleague @DrWilfredoM had a powerful thread on this earlier this month. What is most surprising about health inequities killing people is that we are acting surprised- this has been going on forever. To be surprised is a mark of privilege
6/ One point about this-- many say "We need to help the poor because if we don't, that hurts all of us". I find this logic exceptionally problematic. We should care not because it could hurt us not to (self-serving)- but bc it is a matter of equity that all people are protected.
7/ I fear the same happened w/ recent #Ebola outbreak (the second outbreak had more international support bc the first crossed into US/Europe, threatening wealthy places).
More thoughts on that here: journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/how-sh…
More thoughts on that here: journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/how-sh…
8/ The second point in my original article is regarding the cases caused by those who did not listen to public health advice when they could afford to do so.
These cases I have also seen- & they are especially tough bc they were preventable.
These cases I have also seen- & they are especially tough bc they were preventable.
9/ The reopening of states before they are safely at a point to do so is an example of this disregard at a national level-- and it will hurt us all sooner or later; and will worsen health inequities even more. Georgia is one example.
nytimes.com/2020/04/30/hea…
nytimes.com/2020/04/30/hea…
10/ Ultimately as doctors, what we see at the bedside is often the result of failed systems- the human cost. We are witness to the people that suffer and die because of them.
The feeling at the end of it all was that we are alone with our patients in this pandemic.
The feeling at the end of it all was that we are alone with our patients in this pandemic.
Cc sharing piece/thread on failed systems & the patients we treat (& some who die) bc of them @stevemullis @V2019N @CarolineYLChen @InfectiousDz @steak_umm @B_resnick @PoliticsReid @cshea4 @carlzimmer @zeynep @blanchardd @AnnaMeiler @elizabarclay @KathleenBurge
