Few experiences can shake a parent to their core like rushing a child to the emergency room. As a parent of a child with asthma, I’ve found myself in that terrifying situation, holding my son as he struggled to breathe, watching as his lips turned blue. In those moments, the urgency of medical care becomes painfully clear.
This is why I am deeply concerned when I hear reports about hospitals nearing their breaking point—running out of beds, facing staffing shortages, and struggling with supplies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate. I know firsthand what it feels like to need urgent medical attention for a loved one.
Unfortunately, many Americans are still unwilling to make even minor sacrifices, gathering in large groups without masks and dismissing the reality of a virus that has claimed 1.3 million lives globally. This reckless behavior is directly contributing to the crisis unfolding in hospitals across the nation.
Healthcare professionals are pleading with the public to heed their warnings. They are running out of beds, staff, and essential supplies. As hospitals reach or exceed capacity, the grim reality is that not only COVID-19 patients may be turned away, but also individuals requiring non-COVID-related medical treatment.
This situation is already becoming a reality, as highlighted by a tragic case from Madrid. Lídia Bayona Gómez, a nursing home worker, experienced severe symptoms but was repeatedly turned away from proper medical care due to COVID-19 protocols. By the time she finally received treatment, it was too late—she succumbed to cancer shortly thereafter.
Lídia’s experience is far from unique. Many others are facing similar fates, with serious illnesses going undiagnosed because healthcare resources are diverted to managing COVID-19 cases. The New York Times reported that the ongoing focus on COVID-19 is allowing other critical health issues to go unchecked, potentially leading to more fatalities.
The ripple effect of inaccessible medical care will soon be felt nationwide. We must prepare ourselves for the alarming possibility that when we need medical attention, there may not be space available for us.
Doctors and nurses are overwhelmed, prioritizing COVID-19 patients as they strive to control this ongoing crisis. The resources they require—beds, staff, and medical supplies—are limited. It’s unfathomable that a developed nation in 2020 could face such shortages, yet without significant change, this is our reality.
Take Houston, Texas, for example, where hospitals were overwhelmed in July, leading to emergency room patients waiting for hours. Patients were turned away as hospitals reached capacity, and although some beds were eventually added, expanding capacity is not a quick fix.
Now, as we move further into fall and confront new surges of COVID-19, states that previously had manageable hospital conditions are facing dire circumstances. Utah health officials have already warned that hospitals may soon need to ration care due to limited ICU space.
The consequences of rationing care can be devastating, as illustrated by the story of Luis Arellano, who, despite showing symptoms of COVID-19, was turned away from multiple hospitals before it was too late. Similarly, in rural Wisconsin, the Marshfield Clinic Health System is bracing for a doubling of COVID-19 patients, compounded by a lack of medical personnel to care for them.
As hospitals continue to struggle under the weight of the pandemic and the need for urgent care increases, it is critical that we take collective action. Implementing stricter lockdown measures can help reduce unnecessary injuries and illnesses, allowing healthcare workers the necessary space and resources to care for those in need.
Medical professionals are doing their utmost, but if society continues to ignore their calls for caution, even their best efforts may not be enough to save lives. We need to support them by adhering to safety guidelines—staying home, wearing masks, and practicing social distancing—while they prepare for an influx of patients.
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In summary, we are on the brink of a healthcare crisis where hospitals may soon need to ration care due to overwhelming demand. The response from the public is crucial; by following safety protocols, we can help ease the burden on healthcare systems and ensure that everyone has access to necessary medical care.