SENGENBERGER | Hospitals “strained”? Blame the government | Opinion

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Jimmy sengenberger

Today, new indoor mask mandates for anyone ages 3 and up are in effect within the Tri-County Health Department (Adams and Arapahoe Counties) and Jefferson County.

Yes, Parents of Toddlers: You are hereby ordered to force your young children to wear masks at the grocery store or in the Dunkin Donuts line, even when they are in child care or on suspended schooling. ! Companies are ordered to make sure of this.

Forget Governor Polis’ specific warning that neighboring New Mexico’s statewide mask mandate has not reduced its number of COVID cases compared to Colorado. In these counties – and with Denver and others en route – the only exception is when licensed facilities / events implement a bureaucratic-approved proof of vaccination policy.

The main excuse is the myth of COVID infested hospitals. We keep hearing about “the strain on our hospitals” ringing like “alarm bells” because they “are approaching capacity” – because of COVID-19. By instituting orders for “temporary” indoor masks, we will “lighten the burden” on hospitals.

Yes, hospitalizations related to COVID-19 are a contributing factor. However, things like the backlog of “elective procedures” – created on its own by the government – are by far the main drivers.

Early Monday morning, my dad underwent long-awaited knee replacement surgery. Although his recovery is long, the operation itself went well and he will expertly tackle physiotherapy. My father is one of a growing number of Coloradans who receive significant medical treatment before the end of the year – often previously delayed by government decree.

As with many states last year, Colorado has put the brakes on most “elective procedures” to limit hospital visits. It wasn’t just cosmetic surgeries; they included cancer screenings, cardiovascular procedures, orthopedic surgeries, and many more that relieve pain, prevent long-term medical problems, and improve quality of life.

Let’s face it: unelected public health bureaucrats and Governor Polis have forced countless Coloradans to delay critical medical procedures. Now, in recent months, patients have entered. The backlog of the hospital is finally exposed.

State data on Monday revealed that only 19% of Colorado hospital beds are occupied by “confirmed and suspected COVID patients.” While 52% of intensive care ventilators are used, I cannot discern how much is due to COVID-19 or other causes. As hospital beds are “almost full,” they are not really due to COVID-19 patients.

Labor shortages are massive. “I had the opportunity to visit Castle Rock Adventist with the new CEO, Jeremy Pittman. He showed me their new fourth floor with 36 beds, perfectly clean and equipped – but empty,” said Abe Laydon, commissioner in Douglas County, which was recently released from TCHD.

“When I asked why the media reported hospitals were ‘at full capacity’ as I physically looked at 36 empty beds in a large hospital in my own county, her answer was not COVID-19. It was staff, “he continued.” This is identical to a call I received several months ago regarding the closing of an emergency room in Parker, again not at because of COVID-19 but because they didn’t have enough people to make it work. “

Last year, hospitals laid off clerical staff, licensed practical nurses and other support roles – jobs that handle paperwork and basic patient room checks – because the government (temporarily) has them. declared unnecessary. Hospitals have not recovered many of these positions. Now, as 2021 draws to a close and more people undergo ‘elective procedures’, the chickens are coming home to roost.

At a time when hospitals are all on deck, a growing number of Colorado hospital staff have quit. Hundreds of people have been fired for refusing to comply with Polis’ vaccination requirements for healthcare workers.

Time and time again the government makes it worse, not better. The enforced moratorium on “elective procedures” last year is a prime example. GOVERNMENT caused the crisis in the capacity of hospital beds. Mask warrants won’t help; they just shift the blame from the government onto the rest of us.

The stated objective is more pernicious, covering several scandalous provisions. The TCHD says its goal is to encourage “voluntary adoption of vaccine requirements and public spaces with high degrees of vaccination in which the risk of transmission is dramatically reduced.”

Read: “We want to make life so uncomfortable for businesses and ordinary people that companies will ‘voluntarily’ implement ‘proof of vaccination’ warrants and more Coloradians will be vaccinated. “

These unelected bureaucrats conveniently ignore that coercion is never “voluntary”.

Mask warrants turn companies into agents of the state – putting them in the awkward and difficult position of enforcing government decrees. Businesses should refuse to comply, especially given extreme provisions ranging from damagingly forcing face coverings on two-year-olds to weakening their business models.

For example, TCHD’s mandate requires the wearing of a mask when “participating in a performing arts performance”, unless performers “maintain a distance of 12 feet from non-household members” . I am a harmonica player in two groups. I had COVID last fall and got the vaccine this spring. I can’t think of a single bar or restaurant where an arbitrary and unscientific distance of 12 feet is possible at a distance.

Talk about a drastic blow to struggling small businesses offering live music as well as musicians – especially full-time musicians – who have lost so much.

“Two weeks to slow the spread” have turned into months of lockdowns, mask wear and severe restrictions and disruption to schools, businesses, medical procedures and our lives. Ultimately, it was to encourage vaccinations. Now it’s on the vaccine passports to enjoy life. Soon, forced booster shots. Once again, we are asking companies to apply it.

Somehow it reminds me of Darth Vader’s threat to Lando Calrissian. “I’m changing the deal,” he growled. “I pray that I don’t change it anymore.”

Jimmy Sengenberger is the host of “The Jimmy Sengenberger Show” Saturdays from 6am to 9am on News / Talk 710 KNUS. He also hosts “Jimmy at the Crossroads”, an online show and podcast in partnership with The Washington Examiner.

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