With the lifted regional #COVID19 stay-at-home orders in California, I am in fear of another surge in COVID-19 cases. As a frontline healthcare worker, the past few weeks with the surge in COVID-19 cases has put hospital staff over our limits and capabilities to provide quality care for every patient. On the medical-surgical unit I work at, a licensed nurse can take up to 7 patients instead of 5. The shifts I worked were almost all short staffed and there were times when I had to be a charge nurse who takes care of patients and supervise the unit all at once. I do admit hitting my breaking point to tears and felt burnt out from this surge. What frustrates me the most is that we care for everyone, even to those who decided to go to social gatherings, not practice social distancing, not wear face masks appropriately, and/or not practice good hand hygiene. It’s also unfortunate to know how many of those who don’t take this pandemic seriously. In the end, we will care for someone’s careless acts in not helping fight the pandemic and reduce the spread. With the COVID-19 vaccines rolling out, I want to say that getting the vaccine does not mean you will not get COVID-19. And with the lifted orders, this does not give everyone the okay to physically see all their loved ones, go out for nonessential matters, and think they will not get COVID-19. The vaccine gives you added protection but the possibility of getting it is still there. I do promote and highly recommend getting the vaccine but I challenge everyone to still do your part in fighting this pandemic. Your actions do make a difference and a careless act may cost a life. Please don’t wait until someone you love and care about gets COVID-19 or dies from it. Please rethink your choices and do your part in reducing the spread. Please stay home unless it’s essential. Always mask up. Wash your hands thoroughly. Strictly enforce social distancing of at least 6 feet. YOU can truly make a difference. THANK YOU! https://www.instagram.com/p/CKt0RT-rrI8/?igshid=ix7v00fodi8f



















