Chronicalling COVID: Through a hygienist's eyes

It has been eye-opening to be a hygienist during this time. No other health care professional gets to spend a whole 60 minutes one-on-one with people, in an intimate environment. For many, we are the only source of socialization in many weeks. It is really neat to share this special bond with many of my patients, also- it has been really cool to see how so many professions/disciplines have been effected. 

So here are a few things I'm observing:

Many nurses are exhausted, confused, and just want people to wear masks. I've heard more than a few say, "If you refuse to wear a mask in public, don't come to my ER"

Mortgage brokers are insanely busy, on track to make 3x production due to all of the low home interest rates.

UPS workers are forced to work crazy hours in the heat, the summer is supposed to be their "slow" time, but they aren't getting a slow time in 2020! Their weight limit to carry items years ago was 75 pounds, then 100 pounds, and now 150 pounds!! They are delivering heavy items like trampolines, furniture, lawn mowers, SNAKES AND TARANCHILAS! & turtles! Insanity!

Teachers are also exhausted, and worried about what the protocol for next year will be! Its July and they don't really have a protocol for if a teacher or a teacher's spouse gets sick.

Students give me mixed opinions on if they like online school or not, more often though I am hearing that they miss their friends.

I saw an epidemiologist the other day, which was really cool! I bombarded her with questions. She sees a rise of COVID in the fall, not necessarily due to flu season, but because people are tired of wearing masks and social distancing. She speculates that Colorado isn't a hot spot because we have the lowest rates of obesity, smoking, ect and we are more likely to follow mask requirements. (Minus Douglas County, where we live, don't get me started...the health department is going to break off of the Tri County allegiance and go rogue)

& unfortunately, many small business owners have lost their job. However, some are starting a new venture, like one lady who really likes antiques is starting her own business in estate sales.

Patients are so polarized on their political views and if we should wear masks and take the virus seriously or not. But one thing they are united on, is that they all have an opinion about it and they want to SHARE it to me! All. The. Time.

As far as hygiene itself goes, we are still limiting ultrasonic use (which means sore hands, sore backs, and sore necks) and  changing into surgical gowns several times per day. We are usually busy now right before people are going back to school/college but it is compounded by people that still need to get in because of our 6 week shut down. Masks are on backorder again. Buckling up for a crazy fall, I just wanted to document some of what I am seeing. Its kind of a cool perspective on 2020!