#also i hope you are safe and healthy especially if you are working in healthcare rn. blowing u many kisses

[ed-recovery-affirmations]

I’m really scared because I haven’t had my period in over 50 days but I don’t want to tell anyone and be forced into recovering in a space where I can’t control it and having other people constantly monitoring me. I’m trying to eat better and find specific foods high in fat and protein like salmon and eggs but I really struggle with eating meat and protein dense foods because when I was younger my mom always told me it would make me fat. I’ve been slowly increasing my calories but it’s not working and I’ve actually lost weight since doing this and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to fix this and there’s no one irl I can tell, does anyone have any advice? -💚

Hi anon! I don't know what ED services are like in your area, so it's hard to know what to recommend to you. A lot of inpatient ED treatment centers can be extremely helpful, especially to those who need medical supports where they're at in their recovery. However, a number of times, depending on your specific issues and the resources in your area, people with EDs will go to a more general psychiatric inpatient facility. The quality of the experience you have at any sort of facility largely depends on the facility itself, as well as general healthcare knowledge and systemic supports in your area.

However, if you'd be willing to seriously commit to outpatient treatment, you might be able to get supports to do it that way. I know it's scary to consider asking for this, but if you're getting sicker while trying to heal on your own, you may need to seek help to save your life, anon. I do want to also say that even if you would prefer outpatient support, if you find yourself unable to make progress in outpatient, or if you end up needing more medical support than you can realistically get in an outpatient setting, you may have to go to inpatient. I know this is scary, but medical support can save your life if it turns out to be what you need. It's better to find out than to ignore it until it's too late. There's no shame in not being able to do it on your own, it's really hard. It's brave to seek help.

Now, who to tell? It sounds like your mom has not really worked to cultivate a healthy relationship between you and food. It also sounds like she might not be the person who would listen to you if you told her that your pursuit of weight loss has gone dangerously far. I don't know her, though, so you can think about whether or not you can go to her first to seek help. While your family's reaction may be different than the one you feel you need, understand that it takes time to fix a difficult relationship. Who knows? It's going to be a journey, but at the end of all this, your mom might actually take this as a wake-up call as to how she's raised you to feel about food, and about her own relationship with food. Is there another trusted figure in your family you can tell? A safe authority figure at school? Who will receive you most compassionately while still prioritizing getting you lifesaving care?

Fat is not your enemy. I know it's hard to believe that right now, but fat is highly preferable to feeling scared about your medical future and being unable to stop this to save your life. The fats in things like salmon and eggs help your body sustain energy, and contribute to brain function. Weight gain is not your enemy, your fear of getting fat taking priority over your fear of dangerous medical problems is your enemy. I know it's hard to feel that way, but your worth is so much more than a thin body. Can you try to start out by listing a few things that you love about yourself? If you're not in the habit of doing this, it may take a while, but that's okay, you can practice.

Whether you do seek help or continue trying to do this on your own, I hope you develop some acceptance for your body, whatever it needs to do. And I hope you get your period back!

[erigold13261]

Concept: Vinyl City as not only the Musical Capital of the World, but also the Queer and Disabled Capital of the World. HRTs, any sorta gender affirming care, prosthetic limbs, AAC devices, Sigh Language being mandatory in schools… you name it, the city’s got them all!!!!!!!!

I like finding hope in a fictional world and believing humanity can do better at caring for each other

Considering how big the city is implied to be, I would definitely see it as already having all that stuff whether or not it was going to be known as the Queer and Disabled Capital of the World.

But you are right in that sense! I can see the megastars all influencing the politics of the city to make it the better world they wished they had when they were younger.

Neon being a strong supporter of easy to afford cybernetics/prosthetics and advocate for robot and queer rights. Also deals the most in making sure everything is as accessible as possible or there are alternates if that thing literally can't be made accessible.

Sayu and Eve being big proponents of learning multiple languages, and making sure sign language is seen as a real language (because some people don't see that).

Sayu also making sure things are accessible, especially for physically disabled individuals. Probably also does anti-drug campaigns with the Mermaid Club (like those posters with the Mermaids on it saying things like "Drugs aren't cute!" idk)

Eve is definitely the biggest promoter of mental health care. Trying to make sure things are affordable and that not just anyone can become a therapist. Along with wanting to promote active living and exercise as best as possible.

DJSS and Mama trying to make education better in the school system. Raising standards and funding for public schools to be on the same footing as private schools or personal tutors.

I can also see those two, plus Neon and Sayu, as being strong advocates for healthy eating. Sayu talking about eating disorders, Neon and DJ as making sure everyone can get food no matter what, and Neon and Mama making sure health plans in schools and food standards are all up and implemented.

Tatiana trying to make Vinyl City more pedestrian-safe. Like trying to turn the city into a walkable one. I can see her restructuring the public transport systems and making stores and homes more integrated instead of doing that stupid thing where all the shopping areas are located far away from any residential areas.

1010 would promote anything that Neon is also promoting, but I can also see them advocating for abuse survivors. Especially children in need, but also other abuse victims (relationship, work, sexual). Also not to mention they and Neon advocate a lot for veterens and housing.

Oh, Yinu and Mama would also be building more funds and trusts that help in the medical sense. Basically trying to make healthcare extremely easy to get and pay for, especially when it comes to big surgeries.

All of these things are also supported by artists not named, but the ones named are those who if you ask a citizen, they will say "Oh yeah, Neon J/1010 are the big supporters of cybernetics."

And of course, each artist tries to support the queer community. Making shelters and safe places for queer events to take place. Funding and running pride parades and NSR sponsored queer events. Just literally showing up in their flag colors on stage or something. And of course not tolerating discrimination or bigotry within the city.

[themomsandthecity]

The Very Real Sacrifice of Caring For Aging Parents in Your 20s

"I think things will be easier if my mom dies first," I found myself saying out loud to my best friend late last year, sitting on the carpeted steps of her rental house. This sentence may have come across as cold and morbid to anyone else, but I knew Tessa understood where I was coming from: Her dad and my dad both have terminal lung diseases, and neither of us have the best relationships with our moms, either. My mom in particular is generally healthy, but I worry about her living alone as someone who can be forgetful, overly trusting, isolated, and naive. Tessa and I met working at our college bookstore as cashiers. She's now a math teacher married to a great guy with a new baby boy. Tessa just turned 29. I'm a healthcare reporter who lives in Oakland, CA. I take art classes, love walking around the Bay, and have a 9-year-old cat named Clark. I'll be 28 later this year. Tessa and I both have older parents, and have bonded over how it can sometimes feel like we got robbed of fully enjoying our 20s. I don't call Tessa to gab about a new crush, or text her photos of my outfit options before a date. Instead, we talk about having to navigate federal healthcare on behalf of our parents, and arrange care for them while simultaneously trying to keep our own lives afloat. Neither of us feel like we have the same normalcy our friends do; we don't often call our parents for advice or anticipate the holiday season with excitement. Instead, our 20s have mostly felt like we're consistently waiting for the other shoe to drop, and when it does, we turn to each other for support. I am one of many millennials being affected by what's been referred to as an elder-care crisis. It's difficult to care for aging parents, especially with whom you have a strained relationship, while also navigating early adulthood. . . and financially earning less than they did at my age. The weight of credit card debt, student loans, and societal expectations can feel crushing. Hell, sometimes vet bills for just Clark can get pricey, even with pet insurance. I want to save money. I want to travel. I'd like to upgrade from a studio to a one bedroom so I don't have to fall asleep staring at my desk, since I work from home. But I also know that when my dad inevitably passes - and likely before my mom due to his condition - I'll need to be able to spring a last-minute plane ticket home and help get things in order. I recently received a master's degree from Syracuse University's Newhouse School, and throughout my final few semesters, I routinely thought to myself, "I hope my dad stays alive at least until I finish this degree." It can often feel like I'm holding my breath, hoping my parents hang on until I'm in a more established place in my life, so that I can offer the best care while also being my best self. My dad's prognosis was originally around seven years max, and he's now in his third year since being diagnosed. His health isn't currently changing much day by day, and when people ask how he's doing, I reply, "About the same." It can often feel like I'm holding my breath. I deeply desire to maintain autonomy in my own life, which still feels like it's just beginning. But I also want to make sure my parents are safe, healthy, and have all the resources they need as they age. So, rather than save for an eventual wedding or other milestone, I now have a separate savings account explicitly meant to help my parents in the event of something tragic. Just like a wedding is a major life event, so is losing a parent and maintaining care for the other parent - particularly if you're an only child, like I am. (At this point, some might ask, "Why don't you just leave the Bay Area if you're so concerned about money?" So, I should note that I have two uncles who live here, and we're very close. They weren't always part of my life, and as they also get up there in age, I want to be around them as long as possible, making… https://www.popsugar.com/family/millennial-taking-care-aging-parents-essay-49351514?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[sanstropfremir]

Just wanted to say I’m 100% with you on the fact that “done everything myself” in the world of artists usually isn’t the greatest idea. I mean, think of any other profession in the world. Almost none of them involve being a master of all trades, and the people who appear to be masters of all trades are really just managers who are good at bs but have knowledge a mile wide but only a cm deep.

For example, I work in healthcare, mostly with radiology. Ask a radiologist to read an X-ray? They’re fantastic at it, when most other doctors miss half of it. But ask them to actual treat a patient off what they find? They don’t have the skill set or patient knowledge for that. Healthcare (and most other professions) work by delegating certain skill sets to designated people who then can become an expert in that skill set, and when you put them in a team you then get a highly skilled group of people who can do the full necessary job.

If that is so normal elsewhere, why not in idol music too? I know there is this whole fantasy of people expressing themselves through their own music, but doing that as idol requires so many skill sets that it would be next to impossible for one person to master them all. I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but it drives me a bit up a wall, especially since delegation of skills is so prevalent in my own career.

thank you for sharing! you're absolutely right! people will absolutely respect and expect delegation and specialization of skills in every other field but as soon as it comes to art suddenly everyone has to be leonardo da vinci (without understanding that even he had a whole studio working under him!). it's the whole myth of the artist monolith and auteur theory and celebrity culture and lack of arts education that's both setting art + entertainment up on this pedestal but also eroding the public's understanding of it at the same time. a couple other people have sent me asks about this so i'm going to elabourate more in pieces but thank you anon you are so right i wish everyone thought like you!!

[scriptmedic]

So I'm looking into the psychology of how healthcare workers cope with a Year From Hell with a flood of critical patients, an economic disaster and a domestic insurrection. This is actually for historical fiction, it's the result of a 19th-century war, and it's a left-wing insurrection, but yeah there are obviously parallels....

TW for COVID, COVID 19, COVID MENTION, PANDEMIC/PLAGUE

Hey Cathreese! (Awesome name, I hope it's real.)

I hope you're doing well and that you and yours are safe and hale and whole.

Health care resiliency is a HUGE topic for me, and I apologize if this ask is WAY too dang long.

Caution: Then != Now

The thing that makes this ask a particular challenge is the historical aspect. I can talk about how people are dealing with this now, but so much of our responses are conditioned by our environment that a 21st century health worker's response to a Year From Hell is very different from how it would have been previously.

In part that's because we're so sheltered from death and dying as a culture now. In the 1800s, families taking care of their dead was... well, kind of a matter of course. People did their dying at home, for the most part, and their families saw to them after.

In the modern era that's all expected to be tucked away in a clean white room with machines solemnly going "beep" and a gaggle of professionals to make sure it happens in a neat, tidy, orderly way.

Also, remember that nursing wasn't really a profession til the mid-1800s. It was a duty taken up by family members or, in some cases, by nuns -- but nursing as a profession really began after Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War in the 1850s. (You may want to spend some time researching her, she's a badass.)

How Chronic Stress & Trauma Affect Personality/Behavior

Chronic stress, especially chronic sympathetic activation (fight/flight/freeze mode), makes neurophysiological changes in the brain that impacts how people experience stress.

For the first part, their brain is constantly on the lookout for reasons to stress -- making them have a "hair trigger" for stressful experience.

Second, stress responses come in 3 major flavors:

Fight. This comes out as frustration, anger, short-temperedness, lack of patience, loss of kindness or compassion, etc.

Flight. This comes out as anxiety, nervousness, dread, overwhelm, panic attacks, strong startle response, etc.

Freeze. Can't think, can't make a decision, brain fog, listlessness, inability to focus, etc.

Also, keep in mind that nightmares and other ways of processing stress are real and valid. Lack of sleep is a physiological stressor, as is poor nutrition and dehydration -- a character who's only getting a few hours a night is going to be MUCH worse off than a character who's taking good care of themselves.

More below the cut...

How Individuals Manage Chronic Stress & Trauma

First things first: relationships will matter hugely. Whether your character feels like they can rely on their team, or whether they feel constantly snarked at or nitpicked, can make a BIG difference in their ability to successfully navigate stressors.

Unfortunately, the phrase "nurses eat their young" isn't a baseless stereotype, and it originates from this era. People under stress often fall into Fight mode and want to snap, snarl, or blame rather than accept that other people are learning at their own pace -- so it would be reasonable to see a situation in which your character has, A) no support / a lot of bullying or nitpicking, B) systematically unsupported with 1 or 2 close friends, or C) an overall Good Team of People.

On top of all of that, there are the individual factors. Health care resiliency comes down to self-care and mindset, and of the mindset, of particular importance is the ability to tell ourselves stories that allow us to function.

So for each character, ask: how does their relationship to their situation cause them to see themselves?

Let's look at the possible ramifications of 3 mindsets to see how it could impact them.

"I'm just doing a job." This mentality might make someone more detached from each individual patient -- but during a plague and social upheaval, that can be really helpful in maintaining a healthy perspective. This mindset helps the person do their work, but release them from feeling obligated to get a particular outcome of their work -- they don't have to save everyone. Of course there's still pride in a job well done, and some measure of pain and loss or head-shaking when someone doesn't make it, but it's one of the least personally harmful mentalities in an industry like health care. Pair this with a strong sense of compassion and I think it's the healthiest outlook one can have. (This is where I am now.)

"I have to save everyone." This is a recipe for straight-up self-loathing, and sadly, it's a belief that underpins WAY too many health professionals. Many don't see it as a job, they see it as a calling -- and that means that they will take each loss as a personal failure. This can lead to depression, anger, and outbursts. They care so so much about each patient -- too much, and it wounds them, and it hollows them out. (I used to be like this.)

"The Divine works through me." This is an interesting mindset to me (who didn't get raised with a religious background at all). This is kind of a combination of mindsets 1 and 2 -- the character might see themselves as doing a job, yes, a very important one, but also as not being responsible for the outcome. They love and try their hardest, but the success or failure of their efforts gets pinned on someone else -- namely, a god or gods of their choosing. Thus the patients who die, well, that's His decision, innit? Same if they live.

Hope this was a place to start looking and thinking, and thank you for the ask.

xoxo, Aunt Scripty

[sunandrunn]

wow, long time no talk! i removed myself from tumblr during summer because the last thing i thought i needed in my life was more time on my phone/computer. still feel that way, honestly. but also, kind of missing documenting snippets of my life. i hope everyone is healthy, safe, and surviving as best they can. if anyone is interested, there’s not too much going on with me. it’s been a very hard season, but i feel kinda eh saying that because i know so many have it harder and i have many, many privileges. that being said i kind of want to document something from this time, so here’s a little recap:

-finished my last fall semester of undergrad, soo close to graduating this spring. which feels a little off if im being honest. being a student during this time has been really hard. and it has been extra difficult living in a tiny apartment with one room and no options to go anywhere, but i’m making it work and gettin’ through it.

-i am applying to dietetic internships and grad school currently to become a registered dietitian! i can’t believe im soo close to having that be a reality. my dream! again, definitely is not the experience i thought it would be, but isn’t that just the theme of this season? very nervous about how competitive it is, but really just trusting what will happen is supposed to happen.

-i’m still working at an eating disorder treatment center and learning so so much and loving it. it’s extra nerve-wracking working in healthcare right now, especially in person, but i am very grateful and counting my blessings to be working and have a job. and i am very appreciative of all the health care workers working their asses off currently!

-i spent christmas away from my family for the first time in my life and it was extremely sad. i know i am not alone in these feelings and i see you and feel for those of you in similar or worse positions. 

-i recently fell on a run and am now in a boot. flashback to my highschool days, im sure i have reeeally old pictures on here of it somewhere. full circle. trying to make the best of it. 

-chris and i recently experienced heavy heartbreak losing a friend to covid. not something i will share the details of here, but im just sending my love to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one this past year or really ever. 

didn’t mean to end this on such a negative note, but i hope you all find some little joys in life. i don’t know if ill be on this website much, but to all my friends, i see you and love you and hope you and your loved ones are safe. 

[world-of-ryan]

When COVID-19 shut down production last March, it especially hit hard for NBC’s New Amsterdam. The show not only films at several real-life hospitals, including Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn and Metropolitan Hospital in Harlem, but it also had a pandemic storyline planned. Of course, not the coronavirus specifically.

“There was so much fear and anxiety at that time around the pandemic, we didn’t want to air an episode where people were getting sick left and right and further scare people,” says series star Ryan Eggold, who plays medical director Dr. Max Goodwin, in this exclusive interview.

But New Amsterdam will touch on the COVID-19 pandemic in its Season 3 premiere. It will feature a very powerful montage showing the doctors and nurses at work trying to save lives, working until they are exhausted, showing people getting vaccinated, and then moving into post-pandemic stories.

“Working on a hospital show, post-pandemic, our first responsibility is to tell the stories of the nurses and doctors who have worked so tirelessly to try to keep people safe and healthy,” Eggold continues. “Peter Horton directed that episode. And I think his and [executive producer] David [Schulner]’s intention was to honor the healthcare workers and what they’ve been through and start in that place of, this has been Ground Zero of fighting the pandemic, and it has taken its toll on everybody.”

From there, the story continues with Dr. Vijay Kapour’s (Anupam Kher) life hanging in the balance due to COVID, Dr. Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman) unable to touch people as a result of lingering anxieties, Dr. Iggy Frome (Tyler Labine) facing his eating disorder/body issues and Dr. Lauren Bloom (Janet Montgomery) unable to give up her patients to their special-care physicians.

“It’s kind of like that wartime mentality with soldiers coming back and having trouble adjusting to civilian life,” Eggold says. “These doctors were so overwhelmed with patients, not enough beds and trying to keep up. What are the ramifications on their personal life and their psyche? And how do they get back to the new normal?”

Also, viewers will get a long-awaited moment between Max and Helen. Expect some resolution regarding their feelings for each other, despite the fact that Helen has moved on with new head trauma surgeon Dr. Cassian Shin (Daniel Dae Kim).

“I will say that I think Max and Helen have a unique relationship that they are forced to confront this season and figure out what it means for better or for worse, and finally name what has been unspoken for a while,” Eggold adds.

For more scoop on season 3 of New Amsterdam, read more of the interview with Eggold.

How did the New Amsterdam pandemic episode compare to what actually happened?

I haven’t seen that episode because it didn’t air, which is usually how I see them, so I would be curious to know myself. It’s pretty wild. It’s happened to the writers a few times where they’ve written something and then it happens later. But nobody could have predicted COVID was going to happen.

I saw the first two episodes and it feels like a sadder show this year. Will that continue?

No. There’s a lot of humor. I was saying to David, “Is Max getting too broad?” There has been a lot of humor on the show lately, which is nice. I think it’s important to find humor and joy amid a pandemic because we have to remind ourselves what we’re fighting for. The intention is not to make it super heavy and sad, but certainly in the beginning to discuss it; it is a heavy, overwhelming, larger-than-life situation that we’ve all been through.

Max also seems to have lost his “How can I help?” attitude–which is what inspired him to take the job and kept him going when he lost his wife. Will he get that back?

Yeah. I think it’s evolved from how can I help, or how can I fix the system and make it better, to how do we begin again? And how do we build from the ground up because we weren’t prepared for this and it changed a lot of things. I think his perspective has widened in a good way and he will see things differently this season.

What will be the new challenges for Max this season?

One thing is he’s a single dad who is trying to get his hospital through this pandemic. And he has left his daughter Luna with [late wife] Georgia’s parents in an effort to protect her and keep her safe as he is going to the hospital every day. But I think there’s a lot of guilt like, “Am I doing the right thing? Am I being a bad father by not being there? Am I neglecting her?” So, that’s something that he wrestles with.

Then the question of romance. Is there a partner for him to find and is he ready to start a relationship with someone after losing his wife? In the back of his mind, I think it’s something he wants, not only for himself but for his daughter.

(Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

There’s a moment where Max realizes that some of his great, crazy ideas aren’t always the right way to do things. Is he growing?

Absolutely. He’s a character who’s full of ambition to change things and to make things better. And he’s very headstrong and optimistic. He’s certainly overly idealistic about how to make those changes happen. The show is about finding out the reality of how that change happens. You have these lofty ideas of, “I want to make everything better, I want to do X, Y and Z,” and you can’t do that overnight, so what does it look like on a daily basis? How does change occur on a systemic level, which is certainly bigger than the individual?

To your point about admitting fault, I think he’s learning that he can’t do this on his own and he can’t change the world overnight and that you need other people. You can’t be a one-man band, so I think he’s going through a lot of change and evolving a lot.

What was it like filming in the hospital in March 2020?

Our last day of filming we were at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, and it was weird. People were starting to get nervous, “Should we be filming in a hospital?” We didn’t know a lot about it. Is this real? Is this really growing the way people say it’s going to grow? And very quickly, the world changed overnight.

It’s the right decision not to film in the hospital right now, not for our show, but to get out of the way of the hospitals and to let them function to the best of their capacity when there are so many serious things that need to be addressed. And, then for the show, to keep everybody safe, of course. But I hope we can get back to that once this pandemic is behind us because there’s always this wonderful authenticity to be found when we can shoot in those places because you are near the reality of healthcare so it helps you reflect that story.

Did it take New Amsterdam longer to come back because you had to change your filming locations?

We had to build a lot of sets. We had to build a lot of the hospital locations that we use, and we had to add more sets and locations we could film in. Then everybody was just making sure it was safe and making sure we had the practices and protocols in place to do our job, be safe and not put anybody at risk. To everyone’s credit, it feels really safe. We’re tested every day and we have a lot of protocols in place that keep the set running efficiently and safely. It’s a good place to be.

How did you handle the pandemic?

I look back and that was so much time that we had. I feel like I should have written a novel, climbed a mountain, or something. But, no, I slowly went crazy and did all the usual, like slept. I did do a fair amount of writing. I wrote a screenplay, trying to put my brain to work a little bit. I was in denial like, “This will only last a month of weird whatever.” Then a month goes by and you’re like, “I guess it’s still going.” Seven months go by and it was crazy. It was nice to slow down and catch up with family and unplug for a minute. I wish it had been under better circumstances and people’s lives weren’t at risk, but, yeah, there were some positives.

[socialjusticeartshare]

'A soft place to settle': Clintonville family fosters unaccompanied minors from Honduras

At first, Andi Mocharski was intimidated by the idea of fostering older children, especially those who weren't fluent in English.

The Clintonville mother of four adopted children had only ever fostered younger kids who grew up speaking English, and the ones she was about to welcome into her home were a 10-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy from Honduras. 

Refugees in Columbus: Biden policy flips dash hopes of local advocates

But it was more than that: They were unaccompanied minors who crossed the U.S-Mexico border alone. Their mom was still living in a camp there, and their father had been murdered.

Although Mocharski was nervous before the children moved in with her family in November, everything worked out fine.

Mocharski family fosters two children from Honduras

"Immediately they just kind of settled in," Mocharski said of the two children her family began to sponsor — the technical term for families who take in unaccompanied minors— right before Thanksgiving.

The kids oohed and aahed over the holiday turkey, reveled in hiking at Hocking Hills and found joy in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Franklin Park Conservatory. 

They jumped on the family's trampoline, went to the local skatepark and dressed up with Mocharski's children — Jack, 7; 12-year-old twins Noah and Adam; and Caroline, 16 — asking Mocharski to draw lightning bolts on their foreheads and saying spells, magic wand in hand, just like Harry Potter.

"They're just really normal kids," Mocharski said. "They love to do normal things."

'Back to being a refugee': Family displaced from Columbus apartments feels trauma again

The children, who are not being identified out of concern for their safety, crossed the US-Mexico border several months before the Mocharski family met them. They were sent across without their mother, who remained behind in a camp as part of the Trump administration's "Remain in Mexico" protocol for those seeking asylum in the United States.

Their father had been murdered by gang members in Honduras, causing the family to flee north in hopes of finding safety in America, Mocharski said.

'Not safe places', 'A lot of kidnappings going on': Unaccompanied children cross border

Kelly Porter, a Columbus native who began volunteering at the border in 2019 when the "Remain in Mexico" policy began, was the one who made the connection between the children and Columbus.

"I knew the mother from the camp and, like many parents, with despair they send their kids ahead to family or friends," said Porter, who is the founder ofLove Without Lines, an organization that assists migrants at the border. "Mexico, especially border towns, are not safe places and at this time there were a lot of kidnappings going on. So their mother sent them up to be with friends in Houston."

Refugee 'crisis': Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman leads bipartisan delegation to US-Mexico border

Since October 2020, more than 47,000 unaccompanied children have crossed the border, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Under President Joe Biden, children are being allowed into the country, but many adults are not due to a COVID-19-related policy begun under Donald Trump in March 2020 and continued by Biden.

Although the children's story of crossing the border alone is a common one lately, these children's path once they entered the United States is not.

Once unaccompanied minors enter the country, they are taken into custody by Customs and Border Protection and then transferred to the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), according to the federal agency. From there, a sponsor is located to take care of the children until — and if — they can be reunited with their parents.

Most children crossing the border are coming to live with someone they know in the United States, said Mocharski. They are placed by the ORR first with a parent or legal guardian, or, if that's not possible, with a close relative.

The last resort is a distant relative or an unrelated adult, such as Mocharski, according to the ORR. Some children stay in ORR custody for long periods of time.

"Their somebodies didn't work out for them," Mocharski said of the children from Honduras.

Reunited: Somali father back with family in Columbus after years of separation due to 'Muslim ban'

Their mother begged Porter to help in any way she could.

"She came to me crying one day ... so I called my friend Amy," Porter said.

Coming to Columbus

Amy Bradley, of Clintonville, and her husband, Chris, organized a way for the kids to come to Columbus and stay with the couple and their own two children. 

"The kids were going to end up basically in foster care, perhaps separated," said Bradley, who has a background in social work and was able to get clearance from children's services in Texas to send the kids to live with her. "It was an emergency situation, and we knew we didn't want them going into foster care with the possibility of being separated."

Help in court:New program trains non-lawyers to assist asylum seekers who have no legal counsel

They lived for three months with the Bradleys before moving in with the Mocharskis after Bradley's mother-in-law got COVID-19 and needed more care from the family. 

The Mocharskis' lives have been changed by welcoming two Honduran children into their home for about six months, Mocharski said.

"This has been something we're going to remember forever," said Mocharski, adding that the children will finish out the school year before going to Texas to be reunited with their mother, who crossed the border recently and now is in the process of seeking asylum.

Waiting game:Immigration court backlog has nearly doubled under Trump

Mocharski said she first learned about the kids in early November when she got a call from someone at the church the family attended, First Unitarian Universalist on the North Side. Jan Phillips, facilitator for the church's racial and immigration justice group, told Mocharski that there were two children who needed a new place to stay — would the Mocharskis take them in?

At first, Mocharski said she tried to find anyone else to take the children. She already had four of her own, and the family lived in a Clintonville home with one bathroom.

"I wanted to make sure wherever they landed they were going to get the best care," Mocharski said.

Then, she talked to her husband, Jim, and she said they knew deep down that their family was probably the best place for the children.

Read more:Language a barrier in getting coronavirus information to all

"We kind of knew how to get settled and knew the steps to give kids a soft place to settle," she said, adding that all four her own children were fostered and then adopted. "Once you've done it, you kind of know."

Sharing the trauma

As they became more comfortable in their new home, the kids also began to share some of their trauma and grief with the family, she said. The boy often wanted to talk at night, using Google Translate to communicate his feelings to Mocharski, though his English has improved since he arrived.

Losing their father and then being separated from their mother has been hard on the children.

"We kind of had to take it day by day, hour by hour," Mocharski said. "I felt like I needed to protect them."

COVID-19:Coronavirus has been especially dangerous to immigrants. Here's why

The whole experience has become a way for the Mocharskis to show their own children their values, she said.

"There's always room for somebody," she said. "There's enough love to go around."

When the family took the kids in, they didn't know about their history or the trauma they had faced in their home country or during their journey to the United States, she said. Right away, Mocharski found the children a therapist, her family started learning Spanish and Caroline gave up her room for a small alcove off the kitchen, so the siblings could have their own space to share.

Caroline said she has enjoyed having the other kids in her home, and it has taught her to have gratitude for what she has.

Painful distance:How Trump immigration policies have kept refugee families separated across continents

"They came here and they were like, 'Meat! You have meat!'" Caroline said. "They were just very excited."

She remembers going grocery shopping with them and the wonder they experienced at all of the options in the store.

First Unitarian Universalist members donated gift cards and meals, and Mocharski started a GoFundMe page to help purchase things the children needed, including clothing and healthcare, since they do not have insurance.

The ongoing fundraiser, called "A Healthy Home For Unaccompanied Minors,"has a goal of $30,000, and Mocharski wants to send the kids to Texas with whatever else is raised. 

Safe haven:One-of-a-kind school gives refugees resettled in Columbus a sense of belonging

Two weeks ago, the children got to see their mother, who came to Columbus and spent a week in an Air BnB with them. They are finishing the school year in Columbus at Fugees Academy, a private school for refugee children on the Northeast Side, before they go to live with her and be a family once again.

In the meantime, Mocharski has been happy to welcome them into her family.

"I feel like we were in the right place at the right time for these kiddos," Mocharski said. 

dking@dispatch.com

@DanaeKing

Article Source

[childrensright]

Children’s Right

Introduction

Every child has the right to education. In an ideal world, every child should have the means to go to a classroom and have access to books and learning materials that can enrich their intelligence and skills. Every child has the right to play and enjoy their youth. Children have the right to engage in wholesome recreational activities whenever they wish and not be exploited for events that are deemed only for adults to do. Every child has the right to be protected from danger. This includes all hazards that could affect their physical, mental, and emotional states, such as removing them from dangerous living situations, preventing them from getting into accidents, or protecting them from the abuse of adults, to name a few. Every child has the right to live in a productive environment. Children should be surrounded by safe communities that inspire them to give back when they are older. This means staying away from bad influences and situations that can cause harm to their health. Every child has the right to be cared for in the absence of their parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian fails to fulfill their role, the State shall assume custody and care for the child, providing them with their fundamental needs for growth and development. Every child has the right to good governance. Children also have a right to be born under the presence of good governance that can inspire them to become a helpful and active citizen. This doesn’t necessarily mean they have to get involved with politics but rather have an interest in being involved in political discussions for the betterment of their country. Every child has the right to freedom and peace. Last but not the least, every child is entitled to do whatever they want in their lives, so long as it contributes to the peace and betterment of the communities. Protect Children’s Rights Everyday Parents, guardians, and all adults should be vigilant in protecting and advocating for the rights of children.

Purpose

The Child is very precious gift of God so that treat her right and love him as you can till your last breath because some of the people they didn`t have a child but some of them they have a child but they didn`t treat it right. Every child has the right to be born well. It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure they can provide a safe environment for their unborn child. This includes proper medical attention and care from conception, birth, and throughout childhood years in a newborn services unit or pediatric center. Every child has the right to a wholesome family life. The child’s first learning environment and teachers are their home and family. They are entitled to be a part of a loving family that will instill ethical values and morals in them. Every child has the right to be raised well and become contributing members of society. by raising them in a safe and loving environment, parents and guardians can shape the personalities of their young to be useful and contributing members of their respective communities when they grow older. Every child has the right to basic needs. The four basic needs of people outlined in the law are as follows: a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, and proper healthcare. This also includes any other requirements to lead a healthy and active life

Description

In a positive move, Congress in February approved a new law protecting children during armed conflict. It appears to be the world’s first law explicitly criminalizing the military occupation of schools. However, at time of writing the Duterte administration had not yet endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, an international commitment to protect education during conflict.

We agree especially give attention and protect children they need guidance to go to the right path of life, it is their rights. The smaller the child the more in needs of everything their rights must be protected. The "drug war" has cost countless life of children which resulted in a psycho social trauma, and some children stop going to school, some start working, some are bullied in school or communities, and some are going in the wrong path of life. So the new law really helps the children on their eights, and to protect them, the children also have punishment if they have criminal responsibility such as 12 years old and above, I really hope that it is not just the law because the parents must also be responsible to how they teach their children.

Support

The 19th century marked the start of children’s rights. The child began to be considered as a being in need of protection. For the first time in Europe, laws were passed governing child labour. Different legal texts progressively encouraged or made education obligatory for young children, and society recognized the fact that the child could not be dealt with in the same way as an adult.

The history of children’s rights accelerated in the 20th century. In 1919, the League of Nations created a committee for the protection of children. Five years later, it adopted the Geneva Declaration, first international treaty on children’s rights, inspired by the work of Janusz Korczak, who is considered to be the father of children’s rights.

November marks the start of National Children’s Month, as declared by the Council of Welfare for Children (CWC). This month-long event aims to promote and spread awareness on the rights of children here in the Philippines, considering the political and social climate they live in.

The Philippines still has a long way to go when it comes to ensuring adequate healthcare, quality education, and a bright future for Filipino children. In UNICEF’s Situational Analysis of Children in the Philippines, data show that 31.4% of children were living below the poverty line in 2015. A more recent study in 2017 showed that for every 1,000 babies born, 28 die before they turn five years old.

The figures may look bleak, but the fight is not yet over. The key to giving Filipino children the best possible start in life is to educate oneself about their rights, as declared under Presidential Decree No. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code. In light of the National Children’s Month, below are the 12 rights of the child—and what adults can do to uphold them.

[sunflowerstache]

Sarah your tags are so spot on I feel for you so much and appreciate what you’re doing and risking yourself for ❤️ I agree with you that as of late he’s been very off to me he needs to be held accountable, they all do they’ve all preached from the same hymn sheet since day one and they all look massively hypocritical. It’s ridiculous that he or any of them even have to be pulled up for this even with a close group of friends he has to realise his influence and his environment. An almost 27 year old should not need that reminder❤️ I hope you stay safe and healthy especially with what’s happening in dc rn (idk if you’re American) x

that’s very sweet, thank you! I know I’m no where near as important as the first responders and healthcare workers and such, but it is tough some days to be out and working with the public (most of which dont follow the rules🙃)

I agree, all of the celebs need to be held accountable, it isn’t just Harry. He’s just the only one I’m talking about so publicly on here because I’m a Harry Styles account. Like there’s so many who are traveling and going to parties and hanging out in town and just being incredibly disrespectful that it needs to stop. they just gotta be taken down a peg ya know?

Also, thank you very much for the well wishes! I’m a good few hours from DC so I’m doing alright! I have a few family members who work in/near the capital so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for them, but I’m good!!💛💛

[incorrectk-popquotes]

Announcement!

Hey guys! We have some changes we are going to be making to our blog, but before we announce those, we wanted to say some things about covid-19.

We hope everybody is staying safe and healthy during this uncertain time. Remember -- especially if you are young and healthy -- social isolation is not about you, it’s about those High Risk individuals (people who suppressed immune systems, other lung conditions, or other chronic medical conditions) that covid-19 could kill. It is also about slowing (not stopping) to spread just enough that we don’t overwhelm the healthcare system. So make sure you are washing your hands, covering your mouth, and limiting social contact as much as you can -- especially if you are sick!

Additionally, I think it’s important to mention that you guys are allowed to feel upset and disappointed because of things that have been canceled due to social distancing measures. If you had a concert, a trip, a party, a class, or any other event that was postponed, it isn’t selfish of you to feel sad that it isn’t happening. Isolation can also be really hard, so if you need someone to talk to you can dm any of the admins on our mains (which can be found on our about page!).

Okay, enough about covid-19, we have some BLOG ANNOUNCEMENTS involving some changes we are going to make!

As many of you may have noticed, we have not been posting at our normal times 3 times a day. All of us are very busy with school and work and don’t have to time to sit down and fill our queue. Because of this, we are going to make the change to posting quotes only twice a day. If that ends up being too much, we may make the change to posting only once a day.

As of now, our new posting times are noon and 6pm CST.

Thanks for sticking with us despite our random leaves of absence!

Remember, if you need anything or you just need to talk, feel free to dm us or send us an ask! We always respond more promptly on our mains because this blog is normally run via the queue.

[fairycosmos]

tried to kill myself last week n slept it off for 24+ hrs before telling my mom. she couldnt take me to the hospital bc we don’t have insurance n my case manager ended up calling dcs /: (ill be 17 next month) rn i feel like theyre waiting for me to say myself i dont wanna live here rather than just removing me bc technically i am safe but im not ready to do that even tho i know i should let them find me help. i feel like theyre waiting for me to mess up to decide themselves. i just feel lost man

oh god, i’m sorry for the late response and that you’re in this position at all, man :( i literally cant imagine how difficult everything must feel right now, and i dont blame you at all for being lost. most 16 yo olds are, but add something like this into the mix, and it’s no surprise that you’re feeling so conflicted and hurt all of the time. i know it hurts to process such vitriolically negative emotions, but it’s also a normal human response. imo, what the real focus should be on, is doing what you can to cope in a healthy or safe way. even if some days, that just looks like crying in your room and waiting for it to pass. but anyway, i want to say that i’m genuinely glad you’re still here, and i hope that one day you can feel that way too. it’s wonderful that you’re alive, and the world would be missing something if you were gone. even if you dont know it right now, and even if you can’t see it in this moment, there is so much growth and positive change waiting in your future. it’s actually inevitable, and nobody really tells you that when you’re a teenager, but it’s kinda true from what i’ve observed. the natural progression of things, the natural process of growing up, makes things feel a lot more manageable. that probably doesn’t feel like a real train of thought to the present day you, but honestly even in the 3 yrs since i was 16, the entire basis of my perspective has changed. especially bc as an adult you’re able to control so much more of your life and the mental health resources that are available to you. it’s all waiting for you, and it’s nothing to be scared of. you dont have to know what to do next and you dont have to have a solid concrete plan. i’m not sure that they’re waiting for you to ‘mess up’, because trying to do what’s right for your own health doesn’t count as ‘messing up’, whatever you decide is okay. it’s a really hard decision to make and i totally understand why you don’t know where to begin. but i think it could help to just have an honest conversation with yourself about what you really need in terms of where you live. try to block out judgement and what you ‘think’ you should do.  where do you see yourself thriving, where you do see your needs being met? where do you see improvement, and guidance? are you able to work with your case manager to figure out some sort of middle ground, some sort of compromise? i get that actually taking such a step is way way easier said than done, but you can take it at your own pace over the course of the next two years while you figure out what would be best for you.

i know you said you don’t have healthcare, and i’m not entirely sure how things work where you are. but do you think it’s possible that there could be a support group for young people in your area, or a mental health center/crisis team, literally anything at all that could lend you some support? maybe you could talk to your case worker about this, too? there could also be someone at school available, like a counselor or even just a teacher you trust. another option is to call a mental health hotline to see what they think your options are. and i know these ideas sound vague, and like theyre impossible to take seriously, but i’d really appreciate it if you gave them some real thought. it’s alright to be scared, but the fear of reaching out literally doesn’t compare to the fear of staying silent and letting this get worse on your own. mental health conditions are just as serious as physical ones and sometimes they need genuine medical attention in order to learn to live with them, and that’s absolutely alright. having someone to talk to who is trained to offer you the tools you need can really make a massive difference. they’ll be able to advise you on what the next step should be, in terms of your personal development. initially saying that you need help out loud is the worst part, sometimes you have to force the words out....but it still counts, every small effort does. i just want you to know that a better future is possible and is much more likely than the awful one you’re envisioning, no matter where you go from here. if you’re unable to receive professional help at this time, then i hope you’re able to engage in healthier coping mechanisms anyway even if they don’t work every time. i’ll leave some links that may be helpful to you when you’re in a low moment. not saying they’re supposed to fix everything, but they’re supposed to calm you down and give you some clarity so you dont make an impulsive decision. i promise you’re capable of pulling yourself back from the brink of sadness, and i promise you’re capable of getting through this. every day you survive, you’re learning how to make it all feel lighter someday. i wouldn’t say any of this if i didn’t believe in you. despite my extremely limited perspective of your life, i can see that you’re smart and you’re young and you just want to find some stability.  the more you focus on yourself and your own well being, even when you want to self destruct, the calmer things will seem. so like i said before, take all the time you need to consider the choices available to you, and then try to get through each day as it comes. if that feels like too much, one hour. minute by minute is more than good enough. im proud of you for surviving and for being the person that you are. if you ever need a friend or if you want to talk, i’ll be here. you’re not as alone as you want to believe, and so many people can relate to your circumstances because they’ve gotten through it. you will, too. you dont have to have it all figured out, that’s not your responsibility. you just have to keep trying and working with what you’ve been given. im rooting for you.

https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/speakingoutaboutselfinjury/2018/11/immediate-coping-mechanisms-for-self-harm

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/teenagers-guide-to-depression.htm

 https://www.healthista.com/15-daily-self-care-tips-help-depression/

https://bebrainfit.com/stress-management-techniques/

[eyesaremosaics]

These are crazy times we are living in. Nothing like this has happened in over a hundred years—when the last pandemic took place. San Francisco is on official lockdown, no going anywhere except to get supplies or to go to the Dr. I had an abnormal pap, now I have to go in and make sure I don’t have cervical cancer... so that was last weeks bad news, then the situation went critical literally over night. The family I work for had me move in with them until this whole thing is over. Living in a mansion up in twin peaks... I’m definitely in the safest place I could be, with endless supply of food I don’t have to pay for, and work, which is more than most of my friends can say... so I should be grateful. But... virtually everyone I know is in serious trouble. Being here up in the high tower... I feel like I’m watching the world burn behind glass, and all I can do is stare blankly. Being under the wing of people of means is a privilege... but there is a certain level of guilt I feel... being here. All the exciting things I had planned are now cancelled or postponed. The new play I was cast in... the film projects in the works... my new job as event co-ordinator at speakeasy.... it all went down the drain so quickly. Friends of mine... their entire industry disappeared overnight. All of my family is poor and compromised. I worry about my grandma especially.... she has been my rock, my favorite person since I was little. I can’t lose her. I just can’t. I can’t lose anymore people. My dad is in remission from cancer... so he is compromised too. Has no work, and no money to pay his property taxes. All the crookedness going on with our government... sneaky republican bastards trying to use this opportunity to their advantage to get bills passed. Absurd.

My boss is very well connected, and knows people high up in American government—who say this is no joke, and literally 1.5 million Americans are expected to die. That our healthcare system is too fragile to handle a serious health crisis, hence why containment is so crucial at this time. We can’t afford to risk it. I know self isolation is not a luxury everyone can afford, but I am glad to see a lot of people out there trying to do good as well. Sigh. It’s just so surreal.

Also struggling with self worth. Having a hard time trusting the love I receive from my partner. I have to try and remember the sweet things he has said and done for me, not just the weird projections I put on vibes I get or situations I misinterpret. Trying really hard to stay present, and be okay with myself through this whole thing.

Hope you are all staying safe and healthy. If anyone needs to talk, send me a message. Here for you guys 💗🙏

[tetrakys]

I hope you're safe and healty tetrakys. If you don't mnid, can I ask you about the coronavirus? Could you tell me if there's a way to carry the virus and to not get sick at all? Or the coronavirus is so strong that no metter what, I can get sick just by contact with someone who carry the virus? And since there's no vaccine (yet?) how someone can recover from it?->

Hey no problem at all! I’m happy you asked, I know there’s lots of people scared and in doubt about the situation right now, so I’m happy to give some info.

First of all, you can get in contact with the virus but not become infected, there’s always a probability of this happening, it depends on lots of factors and we are still not sure exactly why it changes so much between people, but it definitely depends on the “strength” of the virus, on your immune system and on the level of contact you had with the infected person.

Coronavirus is airborne, it means that it transmits by breathing infected particles. What distance should there be between infected and healthy people to be safe? Well, there have been several studies that have proven that when we breath we expel particles that travel up to 1m, when we sneeze up to 2m and when we cough up to 6m! Which is really a lot. That’s why it’s important to always cough and sneeze into your elbow, not hands. Also, face masks can help but do not prevent contagion 100% because particles can infect people through mouth and nose yes, but also through the eyes.

But why not covering your mouth with your hands? Particles survive on surfaces, we don’t know yet how long, coronavirus can survive outside the body, we know it’s similar to influenza under certain aspects, and influenza can survive up to two days on hard surfaces, about 12 hours on softer surfaces and 5 minutes on our hands. That’s why it’s important to wash our hands often, with warm water and alcohol based soap. Especially when you touch handles, doors, objects frequently touched by other people.

Now, if contagion happen, why do some people get more sick than others? Well, this is also a question mark. One thing is sure, people who have already some other health condition are more vulnerable, in particular older people and people who suffer of diseases that weaken the immune system.

I have none of these problems, does it mean that I am definitely safe? No. First of all, we don’t always know what’s going on in our body, even people who look super healthy may not be it. Also, the fact that you may get a very weak version of the disease, doesn’t mean that you can’t pass it on to someone else. That’s why quarantine is incredibly important, also for people who don’t show symptoms, they may be relatively fine, then sneeze next to a weaker person and involuntarily kill them. The vast majority of people are quarantined at home, but more dangerous cases are taken to the hospital. Also, different countries usually deal with health emergencies in different ways. It also depends on the resources of the country and its ability to tackle the emergency, you can imagine richer countries with more funds to their healthcare system are more capable to deal with it.

You are correct, the vaccine doesn’t exist yet, lots of people are working on it, but unfortunately it takes time for these things. Also, being this a viral disease, antibiotics don’t work (those are for bacterial diseases only), there is no cure, the only thing we can do is alleviate the symptoms and let the body natural immune system fight it. That’s why we all need to be conscious of this and don’t think egoistically only at ourselves, but also at people less fortunate with a weaker health who would have less chances of survival if infected.

Hope this makes sense, feel free to ask if you have other questions :)

[onlyeverydaysa]

3. Africa and the novel coronavirus.

Africa enjoyed a short bit of time before the novel coronavirus hit its shores. Here, however; the amount of time that lapsed till the first few reported confirmed cases made the world question whether or not we would be ready to handle a health crisis of this magnitude. Kind of ironic because the entire world including first world countries were and are still not equipped to handle a pandemic of this magnitude as we can clearly see from the numbers and how different areas have shifted to become the epicentre. But I digress. 

The first known and confirmed cases in Africa originated from Egypt, and was said to be someone who was not of Egyption nationality who had recently travelled to an area affected by COVID-19 and was reported on the 14th of February, 2020. The last African country to catch COVID19  was Lesotho who recorded their first case on the 13th of May, 2020. 

Then on the 5th of March, 2020 the first known and confirmed case was recorded / reported to South Africa. South Africa was ‘the 7th African country to  have a citizen test positive for the disease’. The person was said to be a 38 year old male who had travelled to Italy with his wife in a group of 10 people. Here, South Africa was held to be ‘one of 2 countries on the continent with reliable testing capabilities’. But testing capacity has since improved in other countries due to the rapid spread and severity of coronavirus and the need to  be able to take care of our people. Here, the rand was said to weaken against the dollar after confirmation of our first corona case. 

We watched the novel coronavirus spread rapidly across Africa in quite a short period of time. It almost looked, well, too co-ordinated. Was that just coincidence? I don’t know but again this takes me back to whichever theory you believe in about it’s origins; as that theory might have an answer that suits you. -sips tea- However, one must also take into consideration how much travelling was still allowed during the earlier days of COVID19 and how in general, mild cases have been allowed, in most cases to treat themselves at home - which means the potential for underreporting of real COVID19 cases  throughout the world; whilst some non-COVID cases have been misdiagnosed as covid cases potentially inflating numbers in some areas will cause problems for us when analysing what needed to be done, what has been done and what still needs to be done to fight COVID19. 

But here is what we do know: every country’s experience of coronavirus is different and as a result everyone has had to respond differently to try address the unique challenges facing their country. The one size fits all approach couldn’t be used to treat this virus, as it has been used to treat other viruses and we are seeing in some instances this difference in approach paying off in some countries whilst going wrong in others which has been both eye opening and scary as the entire world realises that the entire health system has been greatly neglected. 

However, despite having been praised for trying to get ahead of the curve by WHO and many others (and also praising WHO for their role in helping to combat COVID19) in our earlier days dealing with coronavirus, our numbers have since drastically shot up (currently sitting at about 23 615 as of the 25th of May, 2020 - Africa Day) and are expected to peak only around August / September/ Also, despite efforts by government to keep people calm and despite efforts by everyone to try and focus on the facts and the science of it all there have been some later decisions that have arguably taken us backward or caused us as citizens to question whose interests are best being served by some of the implementation measures introduced by government to combat / curve / reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

But with regards to my experience in South Africa, I would definitely say we tried to do the best we could with the cards that we have been dealt and as critical as I am of politicians, authority and structures I would say that some of the decisions that have been taken have been quite impressive actually, despite potential political, racial and class differences that the country is facing. Also I am very proud of our healthcare sector and how they have managed to actually also encourage us to stay calm by leading by example from our Health Minister, to doctors, nurses, lab techs, scientists, pharmacists, paramedics and other essential staff that work at the health facilities including cleaning staff, security, food suppliers etc. Everyone has just been calm in the public eye. Our response between mid-march up until early April definitely inspired a sense of feeling safe (health wise), albeit not physically; because the army & the police were unleashed on the people causing greater distress.

Some controversial issues raised were in relation to class and how lockdown impacted on the unemployed, underprivileged and working class in a society that is so deeply unequal - actually even known as the most unequal country in the world. Social media has opened the door for all these different debates, with many people openly questioning and criticizing some of the decisions taken by the government. Most notably, the open letters to the president written by Ntsiki Mazwai and Gareth Cliff which caused a stir. For which I will definitely say at the time Ntsiki raised some valid concerns even though her tone was harsh. Gareth’s letter stated nothing new, but then when he was questioned on it, on the popular South African tv show the Big Debate SA he didn’t really articulate himself well and quite frankly was quite rude and unfortunately played into critiques belief that he was clout chasing and seeking relevance (a story for another day). (This all depends on which side of the debate you fall on, I guess).

Meanwhile, round-about mid to late-April (21 April, 2020) Madagascar announced a herbal mix remedy called COVID Organics that is preventative and curative in nature. The remedy is said to contain Artemisia Annua, a plant used in medicines to combat malaria, for which it has been critiqued to say that this plant does not fight malaria in its plant-like state. Here, several African countries had opted to try it by mid-May, including: Liberia, Equitorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Tanzania, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo who have all ‘received some bottles’ of COVID Organics. The emergence of this remedy sparked growing debate around the usefulness / effectiveness in herbal and traditional medicine in combating COVID19 here on the African continent even though China has been exploring this option since February. This resulted in WHO cautioning against herbal remedies that are untested but criticism for the centering of Western medicine as the solution has grown. This led to a call to boycott WHO on social media which never really went further and was then resolved when WHO was rumoured to have agreed to look into COVID Organics but concerns were raised around the non-disclosure clause said to be agreed upon between the two (also rumour, as the sources on this are now more scarce). However Madagascar is still a member of WHO and supporting WHO. Madagascar was recently elected (22 May) on their executive board. 

Personally, I believe a combination of both forms of medicine must be looked into, because some homemade remedies have proven effective in combating or helping to boost our immune systems against flu and if flu is a virus that logic holds. But on the other hand, noting that respiratory illnesses like pneumonia require antibiotics and other inflammatory and other drugs as well as liquids, rest, and possible oxygen therapy a more impactful drug with organic properties may be what is needed. But again I am not a medical expert so I am merely stating an opinion based on my understanding - its not fact. Anyway, interestingly enough: Madagascar only had 121 cases and no deaths at the time of releasing COVID Organics. Now by the 25th of May, 2020 they had 527 cases (I stand to be corrected). This is still significantly less than most countries especially for a population of 27.6 Million people so they must be doing something right even if it might not be linked to medicine - it could just be that they have disciplined citizens who are taking care of their health by eating healthy and practicing effective social distancing and sanitization.

To date, Africa as a whole continent has had 111 812 confirmed cases of COVID!9, with 3 354 deaths and 45 001 recoveries as of 6am, (25 May, 2020). In blog posts to follow, I will continue to touch on South Africa as my primary example of what is happening (for obvious reasons as you can tell by the name of this blog) and I will then try to give examples of what has been done in other countries. 

*Disclaimer (again): images aren't mine. I just use pics from the net from the sources I touch on, for my posts. 

*Wrote this piece on Africa Day, but struggled to post it. 

*A reminder that  the blog posts in the 21 Conversation series are just bits & pieces of the COVID19 experience that I have found worth talking about touching on some facts, some opinion and some theories you may or may not agree with, I have linked some of the sources that speak to these issues in all the posts that range from news to stats and facts to blogs to youtube so take everything with a pinch of salt. But always keep up to date with coronavirus news through reliable sources and keep up to date with your country’s rules, regulation and other legislation through official government sites.  I hope lockdown is treating you well if you are in lockdown and if you happen to be reading this and your country isn’t on lockdown let us know how your country is handling it. Stay safe everybody. 

M.T.M

Sources:

1. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/egypt-confirms-coronavirus-case-africa-200214190840134.html

2. https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/world-news/first-coronavirus-case-south-africa-who-is-it-where-reported/

3. https://techcentral.co.za/first-case-of-coronavirus-in-south-africa/96364/

4. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/05/africa/south-africa-first-coronavirus-case/index.html

5. https://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/2020/03/05/south-africa-confirms-first-case-of-covid-19/

6. https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/coronavirus-in-sa-who-boss-praises-south-africas-response-to-covid-19-pandemic-45923836

7. https://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/2020/04/09/african-union-reaffirms-support-for-who-amid-covid-19-pandemic/

8. https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/who-again-heaps-praise-on-south-africas-response-to-covid-19/

9. https://mg.co.za/article/2019-11-19-why-sa-is-the-worlds-most-unequal-society/ 

10. https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-04-04-poverty-shows-how-apartheid-legacy-endures-in-south-africa/

11. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52125713

12. https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/396473/handling-of-the-covid-19-crisis-makes-mkhize-a-stand-out-leader-analysts/

13. https://www.cnbcafrica.com/africa-press-office/2020/05/12/coronavirus-south-africa-employment-and-labour-praised-for-prompt-payment-of-coronavirus-covid-19-temporary-employer-employee-relief-scheme-ters-benefits/

14.https://select.timeslive.co.za/news/2020-03-23-sa-states-response-to-covid-19-gets-a-huge-thumbs-up/

15. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52619308

16. https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/395685/extending-lockdown-would-not-delay-south-africas-coronavirus-peak-by-much-mkhize/

17. https://citizen.co.za/lifestyle/your-life-entertainment-your-life/entertainment-celebrities/2261937/ntsiki-mazwai-pens-scathing-open-letter-to-ramaphosa-opposes-lockdown/

18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFPD2zj6DCE&t=6s

19. https://www.garethcliff.com/dear-mr-president/

20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8iGnW2cSYc 

21. https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/madagascar-population/

22. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-madagascar-idUSKBN22K1HQ

23. https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/madagascar-launches-miracle-drink-for-coronavirus-infection/ar-BB12WZoM

24. https://africa.cgtn.com/2020/04/21/madagascar-president-backs-unproven-herbal-treatment-for-coronavirus/

25. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/coronavirus-madagascar-herbal-remedy-covid-organics-200505131055598.html

26. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52374250

27. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/who-to-study-madagascars-drug-to-treat-covid-19-/1840971#

28. https://africacheck.org/fbcheck/no-madagascar-hasnt-quit-world-health-organization/

29. https://www.africanews.com/2020/05/25/coronavirus-in-africa-breakdown-of-infected-virus-free-countries/

30. https://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-pneumonia-treatment

31. https://www.drugs.com/condition/pneumonia.html

[nymphadora-song]

I know there have been a lot of stories going around about what it’s like to be a healthcare worker in the midst of a pandemic. There are so many inspiring stories from those working on the front lines to treat patients with COVID-19 and healthcare providers traveling to rural communities to asses high risk patients. I know my story is not unique, but I wanted to share it anyways.

Gown, mask, goggles, gloves. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves.

It’s not uncommon that I mutter these words to myself, standing outside a patient’s room. This is to help me remember the proper order to put on my protective equipment before setting foot in the room of a patient who many be harboring an infectious pathogen. I’ve been reminding myself of the correct order more and more often lately in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. My Facebook feed is now full of news articles about the virus accompanied by pictures of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professional dressed to the nines in protective equipment, including gowns, masks, goggles, and gloves. It’s inescapable and more essential than ever.

Most of us who are fortunate to have a job but unfortunate enough to have to leave the house to go to work during a pandemic (depending on your perspective, at least) probably feel at least some anxiety about setting foot outside. It can be nerve wracking when Governors issue stay-at-home orders and doctors strongly advising us to practice social distancing to have to go to work because you’ve been deemed essential for the world to continue functioning. There is the constant fear that someone you don’t know won’t stay 6 feet away from you or that you will touch that one surface that hasn’t been properly disinfected in who knows how long. Plus there is the pressure that comes with being labeled an “essential worker”. I have received emails from work reminding me to wear my work badge in case law enforcement has to stop me while I are driving to work. I usually only have to worry about the police who are waiting in the speed traps.

If you take a moment to imagine what that is like, the fear and anxiety, that’s to some degree what healthcare workers experience everyday. Those gowns, masks, goggles and gloves that are being plastered all over our news feeds? Those are common place in the hospital. I’ve put those protective equipment pieces on and taken them off more times than I can count, and I haven’t even been working in healthcare for very long at all. We work around patients that have C.diff, MRSA, influenza, tuberculosis, shingles and more infectious diseases. We are exposed to thousands of different germs every time we set foot in a hospital, but we do it day in and day out. It’s our job and we do it because not only is it expected of us, we care enough about helping others in this capacity to push the thought of those germs to the side.

The idea of wearing protective equipment like gowns, masks, goggles, and gloves no longer scares me because I put it all on so often. Walking into a patient’s room who may have an infectious disease that I could be exposed to is less nerve wracking because I’m used to it now. But the thought is still there at the back of my head that I could be infected, but I work past it because there are patients who need me. I’ve learned to live with that anxiety but the idea of potentially caring for a patient with COVID-19 does make that anxiety flare up again and I don’t think I’m alone with that feeling.

What also makes this pandemic hard for healthcare providers is that, while there are plenty of workers out there who are also essential (and I extend my most sincere gratitude to them for all of their hard work), we are part of an even smaller subset of workers who cannot follow social distancing during all of this; in fact, we have to do the opposite. I cannot assist in bathing a patient from 6 feet away, or help them get to the bathroom. I can’t even take my patient’s temperature, which is now more important than ever to take, without placing my gloves hands near their mouth. I cannot comfort my patient who is scared or keep them safe if they are at risk for hurting themself from 6 feet away.

I will preach the importance of social distancing until I am blue in the face, because I belong to a group of people who cannot practice social distancing. We have to trust that others will step up and stay home while we make our way back to our own houses and get in the shower to wash the germs from our shift off. My hope is that, at the very least, my community will practice social distancing so they can avoid contact with anything I’m afraid I may be carrying home with me, no matter how diligent I am at wearing my gown, mask, goggles, and gloves.

Stepping off my soap box for a minute, while working around potential patients with COVID-19 at work is new, a lot of other aspects of working at a hospital are changing. I work at one of the largest hospitals in the United States. The rooms at the hospital are constantly full and on several occasions where I have worked shifts in the emergency department, the wait time was well over 12 hours. To say this is a busy hospital is an understatement; now, it’s empty, even during the day. Visitors, except under very specific circumstances, are not allowed. Certain entrances to the hospital are closed to filter everyone coming through into specific checkpoints, where volunteers and hospital staff are there waiting to screen those coming in. I have to show my employee ID badge to be let in, and security is on stand-by to ensure that anyone who tries to go past that isn’t an employee is stopped. I have to take my temperature, answer a questionnaire about any potential symptoms I may have been experiencing, and submit my answers online before I can begin work and show proof that I did so the second I walk in the door. I fully understand the importance of this checkpoint, and I support it and gladly participate in answering those questions, but it’s still unnerving.

For me, this experience sounds like a scene straight out of a young-adult dystopian book. The halls are empty. Patient rooms are empty. Offices are empty as managers and other personnel are pushed to work from home. Certain units are closed temporarily because the hospital census is down. Hours are expected to be cancelled for many of us. These abandoned units cast a dark shadow as you walk past. It’s important that we keep as many people as we can out of the hospital right now to contain the potential spread of the virus since there have been confirmed cases here, but it’s eerie none the less to see in person.

Those of us working at hospitals now and in the futures will most likely never receive hazard pay, even though we will be the ones at risk for coming in contact with infectious diseases constantly, especially since supplies are short. I’m not trying to argue that we didn’t know what we signed up for, because it was made abundantly clear when we took our positions. But this is our reality now, somewhat different and somewhat new from what we are used to; to a certain degree, this is what we will experience in the near future as the cases of COVID-19 reported keep growing. We are the ones who get to live with the fear of setting foot in a hospital, potentially coming in contact with an infectious disease, and spreading the disease with us when we leave. All of the gowns, masks, goggles, and gloves in the world could not protect us from that, and as our supplies continue dwindle and become scarce, there is a fear we may not even have that soon.

I am by no means asking you to feel sorry for me or any of the healthcare workers working right now. This is our job and I am happy to do it. But I do hope that by reading, you’ll understand or at least think about what this pandemic means for me and most likely my fellow healthcare workers. Please feel free to share this post.

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home for those who can’t.