The confusion continues over the FDA’s decision to allow a yet-to-be approved drug for an off-label use to be used in emergency departments across the country.
(CBSLA) – LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – The combination of an increase in COVID-19 cases and health-care employees becoming ill is putting a strain on personnel and hospitals across Los Angeles County.
(CBSLA)
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“We’re out of human beings.” Nerissa Black, a registered nurse at Henry Mayo Hospital, remarked, “We’re running out of people to take care of other humans.”
Ambulances are being rerouted, and some hospitals are canceling elective surgery so that nurses and physicians may be redeployed to other locations.
According to reports, LA County has identified the 20 emergency rooms that have been affected the worst and has sent county staff to assist with the offloading of ambulances.
“Isn’t this a war?” On the front lines, we’re fighting. That’s where it started, but instead of physical wounds, we’re dealing with mental ones because we can’t perform the task,” Black said.
The governor seeks $2.7 billion in additional COVID funding to aid frontline employees like Black and prepare the healthcare system for future variations. Newsom also said that he wants to support additional coronavirus testing.
“These lines are something we don’t want to see.” We don’t want people to have to wait in line, especially on this side of the bus. Individuals are walk-ins, as opposed to those who have made appointments. As a result, we’re continuing to give additional assistance, including more employees, knowledge, and testing locations,” Newsom added.
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For families like the Gonzalezes, a solution cannot come soon enough.
Cece Gonzalez, 8, missed the first two days of school this week because the results of her COVID-19 exam, which she took on Friday at Kaiser, were not received until Wednesday. Results are usually available within 24 hours.
Justine, Cece’s mother, said she supports baseline and weekly testing, but that it must be done on a timely basis and be relevant to society at large as well as at school.
“You’ve already been carrying it if you’re asymptomatic and have to wait five days for a test,” she added. “In this moment, it seems that parents will have to deal with a mix of testing at school and waiting for labs, as well as testing at home.”
It’s unknown how long the burden on healthcare staff, hospitals, and testing will remain. According to some physicians, the end of Omicron is still a long way off.
“I believe the verdict is still out on where we stand on this.” Dr. Brad Baldridge, an emergency department physician at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance, stated, “My prediction is we have many weeks to go.”
“I would advise the general people to be vaccinated, put on a mask, and treat each other with decency and respect.” Take care, and be kind. “You call us heroes, yet you treat us like zeroes,” Black remarked.
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Some county hospitals may get federal staffing assistance in the coming weeks, according to county executives.
