Thread by @marklewismd

I have a confession to make.

I've been Tweeting angry.

It's not good social media practice, in general, and it can seem unbecoming of a physician speaking in a public forum.

But allow me to explain

THREAD/

I am angry because I took an oath to protect my patients and everyday I see them needlessly endangered.

It has never been hard to keep them healthy (says the doctor who is routinely -- understandably?! -- accused of being a poisoner).

I am angry because I have sat by the bedside of a dying patient who, other than her healthcare workers, would have been alone in the hospital at her last breaths. The separation from her loved ones was, at first, necessary but hopefully temporary, then became permanent & gaping.

I am angry because a simple act of nominal self-sacrifice -- which protects the wearer too! -- is being characterized as a violation of civil liberties (while conveniently forgetting the harm principle that undergirds our social contract)

I am angry because tomorrow a new class of doctors starts their training proper and they are being mocked for their inexperience rather than heralded for their bravery, confronting a medical landscape like few if any interns before them.

And I am angry at myself because I am not this person.

I typically do not spew invective.

I try to be a good Christian and turn the other cheek.

But when I go to bed seething and wake up worried it's hard to emotionally reset a sense of righteous indignation.

To those I've offended in the collateral damage of my ire, I apologize. I'm no longer, for instance, going to use the term Karen after several women I respect explained to me that they consider it sexist. I will, however, continue to call out reckless endangerment of my patients.

It's my job, after all.

<Deep breath>

<Mask on>

Thanks for listening, and stay safe.

/end

*harder

Sorry, @drdonsdizon, for breaking one of your 3 Twitter rules