As we began to face this pandemic we were armed with SMART technology in hand, but no toilet paper in the stores!
The people are even becoming bitterly divided on the virus itself, and feel very strongly about their stance. Some feel there is already too much overreach, while others feel there is not yet enough being done. It's sort of a soft-serve martial law for health and safety, but it's still control of the masses, with authority and threat of consequences. Our society has been based upon perpetual motion for so long, many do not know how to stop.
Nursing homes, without advanced notice, just said, "No visitors," except in the case of late-stage hospice; and that's that! Some cities and states have now declared "voluntary isolation or it will be forced." The ultimate in double message!
Some hospitals are establishing regulations with regard to visitors. The new rules to allow no visitors in some hospitals and all nursing homes, especially nursing homes; make no sense to me. The following information, in no way, is dismissive of the lives of the residents or the severity of the current health threat to the elderly. The people who work in these facilities go home, live their lives, and come back for their shift. Many have families, and those family members interact with their circle before coming home to share space with the health care workers. Many years ago, I worked in long term health care. Through that time, I had a child in school, who had friends visiting back and forth after school. I was single, so I dated. I wasn't much of a drinker, but I loved to dance, so I had a social life outside of my place of employment. Perhaps regulations and restrictions have been put in place for the hours off the clock, but that would seem quite invasive, impractical, and downright impossible to regulate or enforce. Obviously, most social life is curtailed at this point, but people still go to stores, gas stations, etc. This is an airborne contagion. Everyone out and about is breathing!
I realize this current situation has seriously curtailed socializing, but not all. My point being, the staff comes and goes and interacts with their families, goes to the store, etc. The families of the residents, however; cannot enter the facility for a visit with their aging loved one. Chances are, the children of most of the residents are not spring chickens themselves, and in all likelihood, do not have children still living at home.
I can understand, for the sake of safety, perhaps establishing some visiting hours or days, but to completely disallow visiting seems cruel and certainly lacking compassion for the residents and their families. I understand the elderly are at greater risk, but being completely isolated from their loved ones may not be the protection they need.
People should certainly be able to be screened (temp, no cough) and allowed to visit. I came across an interesting twist to all this . . . It's been suggested in a couple of states that non-violent prisoners should be released to home monitoring, to stop the potential spread of the virus in the prison. I couldn't help but comment when I saw the link on social media. Basically, asking who in the world would suggest freedom for prisons and lockdown for nursing homes? Although the answer that stands out, wasn't worth the time to respond, I will share my comment and the response.
Any event that involves a crowd larger than 10 has been canceled. The duration of this crisis remains to be seen, but when and if the reprieve comes, there will be new "normal." Life as we know it has changed dramatically.
We all have our theories, so as we lambaste the comments and theories of others, let's try a little kindness.
I totally agree with your line of thinking.
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