Originally Posted by
Diamond Joe
Sorry mang I'm slacking
Fire/EMS update, EC edition
~525 confirmed in MA. We are responding to at least a couple "suspected" cases per day at this point. I'm a little bit concerned that with all the media coverage and hysteria we are getting elderly patients who are more psychosomatic than actually stricken with Covid-19, but what can you do? Our PPE stocks are dwindling, but holding up (with the exception of N95 masks). We are wearing gloves, gowns, surgical masks, and eye protection on every suspected Covid-19 call, all of which are disposed of after the run. Additionally, we're trying to limit the exposure of our firefighter/medics by reducing the amount of responders who go into residences as well as have patient contact. If possible, we're using ONE person (the medic who will be riding in the back with the patient) go into the residence, put a surgical mask on the patient, and escort them outside to the ambulance.
We also do not have a positive case among our members, but have yet to implement testing before entering any of our stations. I like that idea - but who is responsible for doing the testing, and how is it being done? Are the outgoing firefighters testing the incoming shift? Obviously, our number one concern is the same as it is for anyone on the front lines of this thing - nobody wants to bring a potentially deadly disease home to their family, which is definitely increasing the stress level of an already stressful job. I'm also shocked at the amount of people still out and about, Whole foods and Market Basket both looked like a Sunday morning, packed with shoppers. No social distancing whatsoever. Elderly people everywhere, despite the fact that most supermarkets in this area are now having special times when they're only open to elderly and "at risk" people.
We're also hearing that there will be some sort of stay-at-home order in the coming week or two. I'd say you can bet on that happening, we probably should've done it already....