COVID Update: I followed up on patients I admitted for COVID over the past weeks. Despite dexamethasone, remdesavir, antibiotics, convalescent plasma and high flow oxygen therapy, the virus continues to evade the immune system and thrive.

I have a photographic memory, especially for faces, however some memories are best forgotten, rather than ruminated on. In particular, when I follow-up on patients I am brought back to their bedside, seeing that look of fear & despair on their face and family members.

We are not “rounding a corner.” In fact, we are worse than before because the virus is unmitigated in most states - still with no national strategy. Rather than mandate masks, limit gathering size & provide businesses with PPE, many governors punted responsibilities to mayors.

Over the past weeks, cases of COVID remain steady in SW Arizona. Farmworkers, teachers, construction workers, etc. all sickened. As a result, to meet demand our COVID unit reopened.

I anticipate this wave of COVID will be steady… 5-10 patients hospitalized per day, gradually overtaking hospitals in the upcoming weeks, infecting healthcare workers and non-covid patients.

After 8 months of being on the frontlines of the pandemic, healthcare workers are exhausted seeing patients and colleagues die, all the while betrayed by our president who spreads misinformation and continues maskless rallies.