Getting much worse. Take this seriously.

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Our hospital system in the Delaware/Pennsylvania/Maryland area put out a press release that they are postponing elective surgeries. This is a big deal. The healthcare system in many parts of the country is crumbling under pressure.

Yes, this is really bad. Postponing surgeries was a necessary step for many health systems. The entire region (and much of the country) is dealing with overwhelmed hospitals, staffing shortages, few available beds, very long ED wait times, and a steeply increasing COVID surge; while also managing everything else (heart attacks, strokes, trauma, etc).

Before the holidays, please protect yourself and your family:

  • Get vaccinated (if you haven't)
  • Get the booster (everyone 16+ years old and 6+months out from Pfizer/Moderna and 2 months from J&J is eligible)
  • Get tested before big gatherings
  • See your doctor in the office for regular care/minor problems before they become big problems.
  • Be extra careful...wear your seatbelt, be extra careful on ladders, wear safety glasses, take your medications. Now is not the time to have to visit the hospital, if you can safety avoid it. Now is also not the time to start a new semi-dangerous hobby...hold off on amateur tightrope walking or cliff jumping. Please stay safe out there.

Fortunately we have testing/vaccines, but this "perfect storm" of staffing difficulties, volume of sick patients, and a COVID surge on top of it is quickly becoming worse than last year. Please take this seriously.

Some news articles about this topic, if you don't believe me:

CBS3 "COVID Surge: One of Pennsylvania's largest hospital systems runs out of beds" 12/9/21

Philadelphia Inquirer "PA hospitals are really busy. They beg you to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines 12/10/21

Delaware Online "COVID Spike: ChristianaCare pauses elective surgeries as Delaware battles COVID-19 surge" 12/8/21

Dr. Greg
DocOsner

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