The Pandemic is Over? (Video)

It's been over two years since the pandemic began, and it feels like we've lived in constant fear and uncertainty for far too long. So, it's understandable that people are relieved to hear President Biden say that the "pandemic is over." 

But the President's declaration is causing mixed reactions. 

St. Charles Health System in Oregon has announced the rolling back of its vaccine mandate for hospital staff. But Governor Pritzker of Illinois has reissued his state's emergency pandemic powers. 

Hopefully, we will all get on the same page in the coming weeks. 

Unvaccinated Nursing Students Face Hurdles Getting Degrees (Video)

Some nursing students who choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 struggle to complete their clinical training and degrees. 

Some nursing schools say it's been more challenging to place unvaccinated students in healthcare facilities that will accept them.

Some of our fellow Unit Secretaries are working and going to nursing school simultaneously. 

In my opinion, this mandate will only contribute to the nursing shortage that was present before the pandemic. 

Death During the Pandemic (Video)

Everything that we were used to before the pandemic has changed. 

Before:

•  A patient dies
• Their body is cleaned and sent to the morgue - or -
• Their body is washed and prepared for the funeral home to come and pick up the body
• The unit staff continues to work. 
• The family makes funeral arrangement and the friends and family comes and pays their final respects to the deceased.  

After:

• A patient dies from the Coronavirus.
• There is minimum contact with the body.
• The staff calls the family to let them know that the patient is deceased and asks for the name of a funeral home.
• The patient's body is moved to the morgue.
• The family quickly makes modified funeral arrangments, whether it's a church funeral, a graveside funeral, or cremation. 
• There are very few friends and family to pay their respects for many reasons: health issues, afraid to travel by air, or other reasons. 

Celebrities and the Unit Secretary (Video)

When the news broke early Friday morning that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were both diagnosed with the Coronavirus, people worldwide were concerned. 

When the President was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, people worldwide became troubled. 

Unit Secretaries must remember that President Trump, the leader of the free world, is also a celebrity and a person. His medical information and privacy should be everyone's number one priority. 

Will You Take The Coronavirus Vaccine?

Some hospitals might mandate their employees to take the vaccine, just like some require the flu shot.

Last year, I made a video discussing whether you should take the flu shot.

I think the pushback and the fight will be even more vicious if the Coronavirus Vaccine is required simply because people are highly suspicious of this virus and its numbers (people testing positive or dying) and because it hasn’t been tested long enough.

And do not think that hospitals will not try to force their employees to get the vaccine. Hospitals depend on Medicare money, and if Medicare says everyone has to take it, then the medical facility might do what they say.

What Comes After the Pandemic? The 6 Stages of a Disaster (Video)

The pandemic we are seeing didn't happen overnight. Any" disaster" has phases.

1. Pre-disaster Phase
2. Impact Phase
3. Heroic Phase
4. Honeymoon Phase
5. Disillusionment Phase
6. Reconstruction Phase

In this video, I'll explain those phases and how they apply to those in the medical field, the United States, and the world.  

The Coronavirus and the DNR Ethical Dilemma (Video)

Hospitals across the country—and the world—are facing an ethical question when faced with this pandemic and a shortage of ventilators and PPE: Who lives and who dies?

I also discuss how some medical facilities conduct temperature checks on visitors and employees and how the Governor of Florida is ordering all residents fleeing New York to Florida to self-quarantine for 14 days. Let’s see how this turns out. 

The Coronavirus and the Unit Secretary (Video)

In this video, I discuss everything I see as this outbreak continues. 

Should I Take the Flu Shot as a Unit Secretary? (Video)

Should you take the flu shot as a Unit Secretary? It is ultimately up to you, but you must be prepared for the consequences if you do not.

If the hospital that you work at requires it and you refuse to take the shot, then you might be out of a job (some places may require you to wear a mask while you’re in the hospital).

If you have religious or health objections, you may be able to circumvent it, but it’s strictly a case-by-case situation.

So, decide long and hard what you want to do.