Letter to the editor: Health care system stretched to its limit

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Last Friday, I had the misfortune of being admitted to the local emergency room due to non-COVID-19 health issues. Once admitted, I was wheeled into the already bumper to bumper gridlocked hallway that once was a mere route to the maze of rooms that is the ER.

It is at this point I have to admit, I feel like I’ve become an extra in a colossal disaster movie. There were alarms going off everywhere, what would appear to be every hospital staff member within 20 miles rushing to and from somewhere, like someone’s life depends on it, which is exactly the case.

Don’t get me wrong, I watch the news everyday, but something about being there brings home the enormity of the situation. We live in this vast ocean and most of us are laser focused on our little slide sample drop of water that we live in that the big picture escapes us. Our health care system is stretched to its limit.



Health care workers need help anywhere they can get it. They need our help. Stop focusing on your little corner and try to see the big picture. Health care workers are the people there to help you, most likely at one of, if not the lowest point of your life. Does that not deserve recognition for its honor and value of purpose? As we all may call on their heroic services at some low point, why do we allow politicians to polarize what is clearly a public health crisis?

We have a worldwide problem. We live in the greatest country in the world. Let’s do what America does best and show the rest of the world how it’s done. Quit whining about masks. Stop listening to anti-vaccine rumors. Do something to help health care workers mired in an uncontrolled downward spiral. Get the shots. Don’t end up as a movie extra waiting in a hallway 16 hours to get dressed to go home.