We got talking with a doctor that works in an isolation centre in Lagos. Share this with all your friends that think COVID-19 is a scam.
Tell me a little about you
I am a medical doctor, and I am passionate about getting the best outcome for my patients as much as I can.
What made you decide to work in an isolation centre?
(Laughs) Well, the cliché answer will be love for humanity. I don’t think anyone is that altruistic though. At the core of my decision is self-preservation actually. I know that no matter how much I stay home, I am not really safe, not until this disease has been defeated. Being a doctor is its own unique burden. So I figured that I might as well be at the front, doing my own bit to ensure the preservation of humanity, and of course, my own life. Also, when things settle into the new normal, what will I say I was doing when my colleagues were busy battling at the forefront?
Wow, that was honest…
So, how did your family members & friends react to your decision?
(Sighs) Well, there was anger, denial, bargaining, sadness, and eventually acceptance. It was tough for my parents and siblings, but we are making it work, so far so good.
Tell us what an average week is like as a health worker at the frontline:
I work 5 days a week. The workload is intense, the high numbers in the news is not a joke. We admit a lot of patients, I can’t give the exact details but sometimes we see up to 30 new cases. It is daunting but fulfilling work. We wear personal protective equipment while working, so we are as protected as we can be.
Tell me about a time you were scared while working.
Hmm…
When managing COVID-19 patients, you can never be too careful. We’ve had to manage a few cases of patients who also had mental illnesses. It was really challenging and there were some scary moments.
How do you feel being away from your loved ones?
I feel lonely, to be honest, but I can’t do much about it. This is part of the consequences of my decision to work on the frontlines. Normally, I should be able to go home after work, but I cannot do that anymore. It will end eventually.
What do you think about the recent nonchalance globally even with the rising cases?
It’s human nature. People want to work, earn, and move on with their lives. But nonchalance will only make the situation worse. It might not be fatal to you, but what of your parents? Your loved ones? The woman in the bus? The cashier at the store?
What do you think the post-COVID-19 world will look like?
It’s going to be different. The world has changed forever. The internet would be more of a professional tool that it has ever been. But I’m as oblivious about the specifics of the new world as the next Joe.
What do you have to say to those who doubt the existence of COVID19 or think it is a money-making scheme?
What money-making scheme keeps the people at home, unable to work, and with no impending need to spend on anything non-essential?
Any words for the general public?
Stay home. Stay safe. Take precautions. Protect yourself. It’s real. It can be you in this ICU hanging on for your dear life.
By Dr.Okonkwor Oyor C.
