No, I’m not a nurse. I’m not a doctor, and I’m not a respiratory therapist. I work in Radiology. I have direct contact with COVID patients daily. Radiology is the department where COVID patients come and most likely get scans of their chests done, to assess fluid levels and respiratory damage the virus can be causing within their lungs. Sometimes we come to their bedside if they are too weak.
I am a frontline caregiver.
Each day I get to work, I immediately have to put on the mask shown in the above photo as soon as I step out of my vehicle, and keep it on until I return to my vehicle after my shift. I change before I leave work. I spray my car with Lysol upon arrival home. I sanitize my phone and watch, place my scrubs in the wash machine, and shower immediately. I do it all over again the next day, with that same paper mask, and same N95 when I need it.
I do not work in a current hot spot, and I do not have the exposure nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists do, and I pray each day for their safety.
However, I do not have the option to stay at home. Radiology staff and transport personnel are frontline caregivers and are in need. My hospital is short on PPE, I must reuse my masks, and we are preparing for a surge.
How do I do it?
I have made a playlist of songs for before work, and a playlist for after, which helps me be in the right mental headspace. Can you guess who takes up the majority of those?! That’s right, @taylorswift. My favorite are those songs with her gentle voice, meaningful lyrics, and empowering words that put me in the right mindset. (aka daylight, clean, all too well, I think you get the hint💗).
You empower me in more than one way @taylorswift. Your lyrics have and continue to get me through the hardest battles. And I cannot say thank you enough. 💗
Sending love to all healthcare workers and essential employees. Especially those on the front lines. I’m here for anyone who wants to chat. 💗
@savedbyts thank you for the inspiration to share my story 😘
@taylornation
