Tallahassee hospital administrators push for vaccination

[ad_1]

“You may not be able to get the care you need right away because of this,” said a doctor.

“We have 20 year olds dying because of this”: COVID State in Leon County – 8 – 6

Dean Watson, director of integration at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, said most of the patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 are between the ages of 20, 30 and 40, and “many of them will not survive.”

Tallahassee Democrat

Dean Watson’s message was clear on Friday: “I want you to hear me out loud: we have 20 year olds dying of this.”

In a morning COVID-19 webinar, local health officials urged people to get vaccinated and spoke about the delta variant and the state of the coronavirus in the community.

It’s bad, they said, and it’s getting worse and worse.

Watson, director of integration at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, said most of the patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 are between the ages of 20, 30 and 40, and “many of them will not survive.”

A total of 154 people were in local hospitals with COVID-19 as of Friday.

TMH reported that 69 hospital patients tested positive for the virus. Among them, nine are vaccinated. A hospital spokesperson confirmed that one patient is a child under the age of five.

The Capital Regional Medical Center reported that 85 hospital patients tested positive for COVID-19, but did not provide a breakdown of the number of vaccines.

Watson said those who are vaccinated and hospitalized are doing quite well.

The grim news comes as local health advocates held a press conference outside Gov. Ron DeSantis’ mansion to speak out against the governor’s executive order, which bans mask warrants and says school districts authorities that implement such mandates risk losing public funds.

“When America catches a cold, black America catches pneumonia,” said Tallahassee attorney and NAACP chairman Mutaqee Akbar. “What this means is that in the black community we are affected in disparate and more negative ways by any crisis this country is going through.

“Therefore, it is not surprising that the black community has been more affected by COVID-19. “

Read more:

Watson also expressed concern that young citizens were coming to Tallahassee with college classes starting in just a month for some.

“I am very concerned about the college age students and the younger ones. I think they should be vaccinated,” Watson said. “My biggest fear is how they’re going to pass it on to others who are vulnerable, to others who might not be doing as well.”

Fighting the myths of COVID

TMH doctors attending the webinar faced a wave of questions from members of the local community who watched the meeting from their homes. They addressed the myths about the COVID-19 vaccine, from its effect on pregnant women to its effectiveness against natural immunity.

Andrea Friall, a doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, pointed to myths that the vaccine would have unwanted effects on pregnant women.

“The reluctance is so understandable, but there is evidence and data showing that babies born to vaccinated mothers have antibodies and high levels of antibodies,” said Friall.

She also pointed out that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all eligible people, including pregnant women, receive a vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that pregnant women get vaccinated to prevent serious illness.

Friall said that when talking to people who are hesitant about the vaccine, it is important to “meet them where they are”.

She noted that she had been vaccinated on video and shared it with others, showed her bandaged arm and answered people’s questions on the spot.

Watson and Friall also said the amount of resources used to treat COVID-19 patients can be detrimental to normal hospital operations.

“It has an impact on you and your families,” Watson said. “When you get sick, not from COVID, but have other issues, you may not be able to get the care you need right away because of it.”

Watson reiterated that getting the vaccine can protect the community as a whole.

“We recognize personal choice,” Watson said. “But we recognize a more personal responsibility. I think it’s the responsibility of individuals to really consider the impact of their decision.”

Casey Chapter is the editor of FSView & Florida Flambeau. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @CaseyChapter.

Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.

[ad_2]