Thread by @TiffanyAlaniz

3,923 new #coronavirus cases in #Oklahoma today.
To say this is alarming is a massive understatement.
Sunday and Monday are usually our days with the lowest numbers reported.
Hearing from hospital nurses and doctors in Tulsa saying this weekend has been “hell.”
#COVID19

https://twitter.com/kassiemcclung/status/1328023898030563329

I know, I know. The “media” is “fear mongering” and hospitals are trying to “scare people.”
And yet....the numbers tell the same story we’ve been telling for weeks as medical leaders ACROSS THE STATE warned us of this crisis.
Yesterday I had a half hour conversation (MORE)

with my parents going over the data, sharing what I heard this past week from Dr. Dart @TulsaHealthDept and Dr. Malik @StJohnHealthOK who has treated more than 500 #COVID19 patients. We talked about Thanksgiving & I asked them to please do all of their shopping as pick up (MORE)

since they’re both high risk. I asked them please not to just pop into a store for “one thing,” to do restaurant curbside pickup, to stay home as much as possible.
Am I fear mongering my mom and dad?
No.
I’m also not an idiot.
1,528 Oklahomans have died
Moms, dads (MORE)

brothers, sisters, friends, who aren’t here to talk with their loved ones about having a Zoom Thanksgiving.
I read the stories of these heroic healthcare workers who are enduring war that we can’t even fathom. I feel guilty that we’re so far removed from their reality but (MORE)

I’m EXTREMELY aware that what they’re saying is the truth and they aren’t trying to “scare” anyone.
Gratitude doesn’t even begin to cover what I feel for ALL of the healthcare workers doing every single thing they can to find the best way (MORE)

possible to treat #coronavirus patients and save lives. And for those who lose their lives to COVID-19, those same healthcare workers are also there in those final moments making sure loved ones can say goodbye over FaceTime.
Thank you to all of you.
Many want to share (MORE)

their stories but are in fear of losing their jobs if they do.
So they share privately with journalists across state so we can most accurately share what’s happening.
Watching these numbers spike is so concerning for so many reasons and knowing that case and hospitalization

spikes usually are followed 2 weeks later by an increase in deaths is heartbreaking and literally makes me sick with dread.
Today I am spending the day with my daughter soaking up every second knowing there are a lot of answers for us to get from state, city and health leaders

and I’ll be joining so many other dedicated, devoted journalists doing that this week and next week and next year.
Thank you for trusting us all with this process. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Two things that keep playing over and over in my mind.
Dr. Malik from St. John telling us he feels safer in the #COVID19 unit than he does out in public where some STILL aren’t wearing masks.
And the video out of El Paso-the prison inmates moving bodies into mobile morgues.

Horrifying, sad video.
Inmates helping move bodies of #COVID19 patients to mobile morgues in El Paso
@KeenanKFOX_CBS reports there had been questions about whether working at the morgue was voluntary, but EPCSO and inmates themselves have said the decision is up to the inmates.

https://twitter.com/keenankfox_cbs/status/1327750176421900289