I’m never quite sure what to call where I work. It’s continuous care –independent and assisted living, and acute and memory care all in one. Retired folks move into individual cottages and apartments on campus as independent residents and as they age, they receive state of the art nursing care as needed. I began my job there, in the kitchen, my sophomore year of high school. Now, I’m a Licensed Nursing Assistant working in the nursing department.
COVID-19 has taken its toll on this community. While we’ve only had two positive cases throughout the pandemic, our preventative measures, lockdown procedures, and general state of being has been nothing but hard on our residents. In particular, I’ve seen residents living in the health center –the hub of nursing care on campus, isolated and confused, particularly on the memory floor where I spend the majority of my time. This floor, which unfortunately does not accommodate spouses if only one needs the higher level of care we provide, is locked down to other members of the community. This means that my residents and their spouses, all of whom are living in other neighborhoods of campus, have been separated for nearly 8 months. Alzheimer’s and dementia mean my residents are confused, wondering where their partners are and why they haven’t come for dinner. I explain over and over again why they haven’t come to visit. I offer a Zoom call. Many think this floor is just where they are staying for the night. Tomorrow it will be safe. Tomorrow they can go home.
It is not just this that makes it hard. Currently, I work wearing a surgical mask and face shield. Some nurses caring for residents in isolation wear N95s. The face shield often makes it hard for my already disoriented residents to recognize me. When one resident’s COVID test came back as what turned out to be a false positive, we wore gowns too. “We’re beekeepers!“ we said, trying to make light of the situation.
On Friday, Vermont banned all social gatherings as a result of the recent spike caused by Halloween related gatherings. Yes, you heard me right. All social gatherings. I’m living with my parents right now. My boyfriend used to be the sole person I saw outside of my household. I haven’t seen him in nearly two weeks.
And yet, returning home after work is like a whole other world. People walk in the crowded downtown area without masks on. On social media, I see acquaintances continuing to gather in large groups, unmasked and inside. On Halloween, I saw party goers act as though all was normal. As a result, my little state of Vermont reported 148 new cases statewide on November 18, the record since the start of the pandemic in March. Two more people have died.
Things are worse than they’ve ever been. Consider this my plea to you. Stay home. Go only where you must. Keep your circle to one or two of your closest friends. Wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose. Wash your hands. Skip your big Thanksgiving gathering. Things are bad. I’m begging you.
