JOHN KENDALL
CLINICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANT & SHARE REPRESENTATIVE, MARLBOROUGH HOSPITAL, 4/29/20
I spent twenty-eight with the Southborough Fire Department and retired as a Lieutenant. As a firefighter, I wasn't afraid to go in. I had respect for the fire -- this is different. With Covid-19, I'm constantly asking myself, Is my mask on right? Am I covered up?' It's very stressful going into the room, and it's just one patient. In addition to the floors, we've been overrun by the tent. The other day, we had 128 patients in the tent.
It's not just us in the labs who are overwhelmed and worried about getting sick. It's the CNA's, the nurses, and the docs too. We don't want to carry this virus home. Nobody knows that much about it. From what I can see it's a savage virus, and I have health issues of my own. I don't want to get it. I have a grandbaby coming. The baby's due this weekend and I'm not going to be able to see her. Neither will my wife Leslie who works in ED Registration at the hospital. FaceTime isn't the same as being there. This will be our third.
What I miss most right now is the lack of personal connection I'm used to getting with my patients. We have elderly patients who come in regularly, usually in the morning. Usually I draw them and chat with them for a few minutes. We can't do that now. We have to spend as little time as possible. You do what you have to do to get in and out safely. You can't be personal.
It's been a tough job, but we're all in it together and I can't wait for this to be over.
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