COVID-19 Ravages South Florida; Medical Staff Are On The Brink Of Depression

Scores of frontline workers in Miami have revealed how the ordeal of treating COVID-19 patients has adversely impacted their overall well-being. More so at a time where over 10,000 fresh cases of infections are being registered daily.

Several medical workers reportedly fell sick during the course of these months, pushing hospitals to desperately search for a fill-up of sorts with additional workers. “In 10 years of medicine I never had to put another nurse on life support, I never had to worry about my co-workers dying,” said Kevin Cho Tipton, a critical care nurse practitioner who works at one of Miami’s largest public hospitals to a media outlet. “It’s been emotionally very challenging, physically very challenging,” Tipton added.

The unrest and frustration are largely attributed to the growing helplessness on the hospitals’ part, owing to “the apparent inability of local, state, and federal governments to coordinate an adequate response.” – as suggested in a recent news report.

Medical experts are also shocked at the ignorance on the part of many Floridians who just don’t seem to understand the dire need of the hour i.e. to exercise safety and caution in a bid to avoid the risk contagion. Doctors assert that their efforts will bear no fruition if the general public doesn’t co-operate amid the pandemic. Healthcare workers were also irked by the government’s decision to ease out the lockdown restrictions at a time when things really seemed to be spiraling out of control.

“I know, and my colleagues know, that we’re putting a Band-Aid on a problem, we’re supporting people as best we can to get them through, but the real fight happens outside,” said Dr. Eric Knott, a pulmonary and critical care fellow who currently works in three of Miami’s largest hospitals. “If you can’t stop the spread, all of my work is for nothing,” he added.

The number of COVID-19 cases registered in South Florida rose to 423, 855 on Sunday. Despite the distressing statistics, the state's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has reiterated that mask-wearing won't be mandatory and urged the management of schools to open its doors to regular learning in August.