Today I treated a patient who was on a ventilator for 3 weeks after contracting COVID. Her family was told she likely wouldn’t make it. She pulled through, got off the the ventilator and was discharged to inpatient rehab where she remained for 3 months... https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1313186529058136070

Following her stay, she was finally discharged home and underwent 2 months of home health physical therapy. Now she is in outpatient physical therapy. Prior to her diagnosis, my patient was very active. She is younger and was much healthier than Mr. Trump.

During our session this week, she broke down. “I am so hurt by what @realDonaldTrump has said about the coronavirus—especially now that he has had it himself. He is discounting what people like me went through. I almost died. Even though I took every precaution I could...”

“...And he is making it seem like battling this disease was nothing. I am still trying to learn to walk again and get back to my old self. And how many people have been able to get the treatment he got. Doesn’t he see how others have suffered?”

It was a powerful moment4 me2witness. This brave, optimistic, determined woman shedding tears cuz of Mr. Trump’s inability 2acknowledge struggles of others & his privilege 2receive medical care far out of reach4 many. I wonder if he’s talked vented COVID survivor who nearly died.

This patient was not someone who disliked Mr. Trump. Her pain and hurt come from a place of not being understood and heard by someone who is supposed to care about ALL American people, not just a subgroup of people.

We must not discount people’s experiences when it comes to this disease.

You may not get infected.
You may not have symptoms.
You may not personally know someone who is affected by this disease...

But there are millions of people who have had COVID—ranging from mild to deadly cases. We must show empathy towards their experiences and suffering.

This ability is what separates your experience with a great healthcare provider from one you never want to see again.

This ability is what separates your experience with a great boss from one you’d like to forget.

We must expect empathy and understanding from our leaders. If these characteristics aren’t present, then we just become another number in the cogwheel of profit.