Earlier today I heard from a physician friend caring for a previously healthy man in his 60s now with critical #COVID19. My friend had just resuscitated him following cardiac arrest. He survived, but he's still gravely ill and expected to pass away in the next 24 hours. (1/x)

What is the impact of this terrible situation? It means his 2 kids will lose their father. It means his wife will lose her husband. It means family members and friends who love him will suffer with a hole in their hearts for a long time. (2/x)

It also means doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff will feel the searing pain that comes with losing another patient to COVID19. It's hard to convey the wrenching impact the pandemic is having on the mental health and well being of my colleagues in health care. (3/x)

Imagine this impact multiplied by the 220,000 lives we have lost to #COVID19, and it becomes clear that the ripple effects of this pandemic will be felt deeply for many years to come. (4/x)

As the fall #COVID19 surge grows, it's difficult to escape the fact that much of this was preventable. We can still avoid more tragedy. But it will require our government to finally step up and mount the response that COVID19 has always demanded. (5/x)

Until then, we can protect ourselves and our communities by wearing masks, staying home when sick, avoiding close contact with people outside our bubble, washing hands, and ensuring our elected leaders hear our demands for a more effective, humane #COVID19 response. (end)