Relief can come in many forms. Emotional relief, physical relief, monetary relief, relief as an art form, relief in the elements… We could use all of these right about now.
It’s been a few months since I have written but, we have been very busy. Where do I start?
Relief in Democracy
Since my last post we have a new president elect and (drumroll please) … a female/biracial vice president elect! I don’t want to make this post political but, I would like to say that this is a HUGE step for woman kind. A new administration is badly needed. The current administration is not relieving The People of stressors related to this Pandemic and it is evident that they either will not or cannot support us through this terrible time of racism, illness and altogether pandemonium. Change is needed.
Relief in a Vaccine
Okay, now back to what has occurred since my last post… We have arrived at our next assignment in Arizona (the supposed next hot spot for the virus). A couple of Coronavirus vaccines have been approved and are now being distributed and administered. The holidays are over and a new year is on the horizon.
And last, but certainly not least, a new strain of the Coronavirus has emerged. Yay! [insert sarcasm here] This year is going to end on a high note .
When the vaccine came out I was so happy I cried. I felt a sense of great relief and I could finally see light at the end of this dark, dark tunnel we have been in. Most days have been emotionally difficult. I am mentally and physically drained at this point so, when the vaccine came out I became overwhelmed with relief… Relief like maybe this virus will end at some point in the near future and we can get back to some sense of normalcy. I don’t think we will ever be ‘normal’ again but, it would be nice to see my family and my kids again without fearing I will kill them with my mere presence. And now, another strain of the virus has emerged threatening everything we have been fighting for.
Well, that relief was short lived.
Relief in a New Year
The year 2020 has been a shit show to say the least. I believe everyone is eager to ring in the new year and put 2020 to bed FOREVER!
Wow! A new year… I started this blog on my birthday -December 31, 2019. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost one year since this whole thing started. I just hope people can celebrate kicking this year to the curb in a safe manner.
We nurses are scared to see what awaits us in the hospitals after the holidays. How much longer can we sustain at this level of stress? How much longer until we break? I am seeing it. Nurses are randomly crying in the med room, supply rooms, bathrooms, basically anywhere they can find a second to process their emotions. A lot of nurses are seeking counseling for trauma and stress. Many nurses are quitting. A lot of nurses are just plain exhausted.
We need a break. We need people to wear masks and wash their hands and not have social gatherings. Coupled with the vaccine, this is the only way the virus will get weak and fade away.
Relief in a New State?
Michael and I are now in Lake Havasu , Arizona working on the telemetry unit at the hospital here. When we first got here the telemetry unit had just a handful of Coronavirus patients. But, within one week it was full of Coronavirus patients. Initially, just one hall on the unit was converted to the Covid unit. Now, the entire unit and the majority of the hospital is Coronavirus patients.
Here we go again…
I figured this was going to happen. When Michael and I first got to Lake Havasu we noticed that the majority of people here were not wearing masks. We noticed mask-less people going into stores and other establishments like there wasn’t a fucking Pandemic occurring. Every store and restaurant are open for business as usual unlike every other place we have been to where there are curfews and limited capacity. The very first night of our arrival to our campsite the lady at the front desk told us we didn’t have to wear our masks because, “We are safe in here” and, “No one has the virus here”. You should have seen her face when we told her we are nurses taking care of Coronavirus patients (so, we will keep our masks on but thanks anyway).
And now, Coronavirus is rampant here. Another fine example of Darwinism.
Nope, no relief here.
Relief through Writing
I am writing this post before I go into work tonight. I couldn’t sleep and I thought writing would allow me to express my feelings and give my brain some relief. It isn’t working. I never seem to be able to get the words out right.
Quote of the Day
” The most important things are the hardest to say. They are the things you get ashamed of because words diminish your feelings- words shrink things that seem timeless when they are in your head to no more than living size when they are brought out.” – Stephen King
What’s for Dinner?
Nothing. The food scene is terrible here.
