—nurses say they are doing it for the love, not the likes

AN unfettered approach and wholehearted commitment from frontline workers are exactly what is needed at this time to combat a “silent killer” in the form of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, which has driven Guyana into a health crisis, with nine precious lives being lost and about 92 persons infected.

In the face of death, distress, fear and discrimination, Nursing Assistant, Juella Adams and Registered Nurse, Saudia Amin have joined many others in taking up the mantle to deliver care to anyone who is suffering from COVID-19.

Citing the words of Jamaican, Reggae Superstar, Chronixx: “Anuh everybody a go like we… do it fi di love mi nuh do it fi di likes,” both Adams and Amin, who work in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s COVID-19 unit, said they have always done their job without looking forward to recognition and will continue to do so, despite being discriminated against by ignorant persons.

“When the first case was announced, I worked the 1-9pm shift and I was going home and we stopped a bus and the bus refused to pick us up…the driver said having us in the bus will prevent him from getting other passengers,” said Adams, as she recounted her experience during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Adams reached home until 23:00hrs that night, but the discrimination did not stop there. She said persons, particularly operators of public transportation, continue to discriminate, leaving her with limited options for transportation. “Sometimes I call the ambulance to pick me up, but most times I try to work around the discrimination,” said the nursing assistant.

In addition to enduring discrimination, Adams said she made personal sacrifices, which included staying away from her family and friends because their safety, like the safety of every other person, is important. “I try to stay away from persons because I don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable…we [her colleagues] don’t want to go home and deal with our families,” said the nursing assistant.

Considering all that was and is going on, Adams’ sisters raised concerns about her participation in the fight against the disease, but she successfully convinced them that it is necessary because saving lives is the main objective right now.

To convince her family, she asked them to mentally place themselves in the “shoes” of patients and families of patients, who depend on frontline workers to deliver care and save lives.

Amin said her family expressed similar sentiments, but she also managed to convince them about the necessity of her input in the fight against COVID-19. Evidence of the nurses’ genuine commitment to be part of the fight, was the mere fact that working in the COVID-19 unit was voluntary.

EMOTIONAL AND SCARY
Being strong was, however, the hallmark of keeping the fight up because as Amin said, some aspects of their work has been emotional and scary, particularly for her because she witnessed the death of two COVID-19 patients.

“I experienced two COVID-19 deaths…we looked to the monitor and we were not getting a pulse and we tried getting a pulse… we tried everything and did everything and all I was thinking at that time was we have to do everything to save the person’s life.

“It was very emotional and scary…it was also sad, knowing that this person’s family would not get to see them back…but trust me, we always try our best…at one point the patient started ‘crashing’ and when that happens the virus becomes aerosolized, making it easy to spread, but all I could think of is what can be done to save the person’s life…you don’t think about yourself” said an emotional Amin.

Although she was well-equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) during both occasions, the nurse said it is still a risk, but one that she is always willing to take.
Thousands of healthcare/frontline workers lost their lives to COVID-19 after contracting the disease while on the job, but despite knowing the dangers and risks attached to the profession, Amin said she will continue to work until the fight is over.

“I love what I do and at the end of the day, I am going up there (GPHC) to take care of patients, fear or discrimination won’t stop me…safety comes first, but we try our best to make things work. I will keep this up until it is over,” said the courageous nurse.
Adding to what Amin said, Adams told the Guyana Chronicle: “We are ready to persevere because if I was not a nurse and I got ill or my family got ill, I would want someone to be there to deliver care.”

Despite their unwavering courage, both nurses continue to take the necessary precautions and following the guidelines established by the local health authorities, something which they urged every Guyanese to do at this time. “In order for us to fight this virus everyone has to play their part, adhere and let us fight together…if they do their part we would not have patients,” said Adams.

Globally, there are over 3.3 million cases of COVID-19, with approximately 238,000 deaths. And with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.