Memorial Hospital RN implores community to mask, get vaccinated, as COVID hospitalizations rise

In her own words: Kate Melody, RN, Memorial Hospital Childbirth Unit charge nurse.

Many of us are happiest just living in our own bubbles, not actually watching COVID numbers and data.

We are sending our kids back to school, many of them with mask-optional policies. Many don’t think it could affect them if it isn’t happening to their own families.

But things here are escalating. We went from zero patients at the hospital and an ice cream party celebration in early July, to 6 patients last week to 20 this week. I expect that to climb. Again.

Kids come home from school and expose parents, grandparents, babysitters and others.

While we have the tools to slow this down, some refuse to use those tools. Misinformation is almost as big of an enemy as COVID itself.

You not caring if you get sick is like saying, “I don’t care if I get in a car wreck by drinking and driving. I’ll do me and you do you. If you are scared, just stay off the road. Your seatbelt will protect you anyway.”

Your decisions do not only affect you. They affect everyone around you.

Please wear your mask and get vaccinated. Talk to your family physician about your concerns about the vaccine and see what they say.

If you trust them when you are sick, trust them now, too.

Written by Kate Melody, RN, Memorial Hospital Childbirth Unit charge nurse. Kate has worked at Beacon for the past 19 years. She is married and is the mother of four children.