As a general statement, cowardice is as cowardice does. Either pre-COVID, intra-COVID, or post-COVID.

But it’s even more disheartening when so many of us are being overburdened yet stepping up to the plate on many levels to see other folks wilt and wither when courage and

transparency is what we really need. I get that this is too much to ask of some people. But when those people fold, the burden is left on the rest of us to carry the weight of caring for the sickest patients in the country.

I hope this is a moment for many people to reflect...

... When you look back on COVID ten years from now, will you be proud of how you participated as a practitioner, as a teammate, and as a human being?

If not, I would urge folks to pause, take a deep breath, and rethink the course they are charting through this crisis.

Your teammates and your patients are counting on you to do the right thing. Even when it is uncomfortable for you. Step up and do the right thing. Because if that is not what is happening, I PROMISE the surge and the resource allocation that I fear is in the near future will

force our hands and leave us with our backs against the wall. There will be no decision, Jr will be made for us. And if folks have already capitulated and lost the faith of their teams of nurses and RT and residents, I fear there will be a heavy price to pay.

FWIW, I AM NOT REFERRING TO DECLINING TO JEOPARDIZE YOURSELF WITH INADEQUATE PPE. No emergencies in a pandemic. Saying no, putting your foot down, and protecting yourself first is the courage I’m speaking about. And anyone who stands up like that should be damn proud 10 years

from now. What I am referencing is having the courage to have tough conversations and to do the right thing for the greater good as opposed to individual wants or desires. I’m just seeing a lot of folks who can’t do hard things in a crisis.

We need to have tough conversations

now, before it’s too late.