A steady number of COVID patients at The University of Kansas Health System today. 18 with the active virus are being treated, the same as yesterday. Only two are vaccinated. Seven patients are in the ICU, down from eight yesterday. Four are on ventilators, the same as yesterday. 27 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, down from 28 yesterday. That’s a total of 45 patients, down from 46 yesterday.
On today’s Morning Medical Update, it’s Respiratory Therapists Week and two from the health system joined us to discuss why they have one of the most stressful jobs in the hospital during COVID. We also answered questions from the media and viewers with the help of Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control.
John Sorrick and Jacques Barbera are longtime respiratory therapists at The University of Kansas Health System. Their main job is to help people breathe, which is especially difficult for many COVID patients. The respiratory therapists are often these patients’ only chance at survival, and neither has ever seen anything like this. John says, “It’s been a trying year and a half. We’ve had some amazing highs, seeing some real miracles. We’ve seen some amazing care that has pulled things out where you thought there was nothing there. And we’ve had a lot of lows, where you see families disappear. You see lives that have come and gone too fast. And it’s really hard to consume it all when you think of the whole last year and a half. You just can’t get away from it.” Jacques says most people took it for granted that COVID was just going to be like the flu and they could go on with their daily lives. But that is not the case, and he says it’s frustrating when people don’t take their word for what’s happening out there. He says, “The two things I hear the most are regret, and ‘I wish I would have taken this seriously.’” They are both happy to see the numbers declining a bit, but say the majority of patients in the ICU are unvaccinated, many from rural areas. They say it’s frustrating we’re still having a vaccine debate. John says, “Everybody’s allowed to make your choice. You absolutely have the free will to make your choice. But we don’t have an ICU full of people with vaccination injuries. We don’t even have a floor unit full of vaccination injuries. We have units full of COVID.” Both agree we might always have a COVID ICU. They lean on each other for support after tough cases and celebrate the triumphs as well. John adds, “It’s a family,” and compares it to a foxhole mentality in wartime when you have to rely on the person next to you and trust them. Their number one message to everyone is get vaccinated.
Here are the media and community questions in the order the panel addressed them, followed by the short answer. The time code for the question is in parentheses. See the video for their full answers and comments.
- (3:50) Halloween night is supposed to be pretty cold. What are your thoughts on trick-or-treating vs. indoor parties? Kids will go out no matter what the temperature. It’s best to avoid high-risk environments like indoor parties.
- (22:25) Are the higher case counts in the U.K and parts of Europe a preview of what we can expect? A lot of different infection dynamics are at play in other countries. It doesn’t always mean we’re in for the same thing, but we’re always aware of what’s going on in other parts of the world.
- (24:30) Any reaction to the Johnson County Sheriff’s announcement that deputies will not be required to be vaccinated? From a strictly medical point of view, we know that first responders are among those with the highest risk in our communities. If they get the virus, they must quarantine for ten days which puts a strain on the emergency workforce. Vaccination keeps everyone healthy.
- (25:50) I'm starting to hear COVID referred to as an epidemic. Have we evolved from the pandemic? Does COVID now become like the flu, something we just learn to manage? Yes, we will have to learn to live with it and manage it. The best way is through vaccination immunity.
- (29:50) Are we seeing long haul symptoms with vaccinated people? There is good evidence that vaccination does reduce your risk of getting COVID and long haul symptoms.
- (30:35) I’ve noticed the active infection numbers are remaining steady while the recovery numbers appear to be on the decline. Does that mean there have been more discharges than admission in recent weeks? Both numbers are fairly steady with about the same number admitted as discharged.
- (33:05) Will it ever be safe to go to the gym again, especially if you’re vaccinated? Gyms are safe. Know the risks of the various activities. Wearing a mask is always better in a group setting.
- (37:05) My 7-year-old granddaughter had a mild COVID case. Do you think with schools being open that many kids have already had COVID and we just didn't know it? If they have immunity, why get the vaccine? The CDC highly recommends the vaccine, even for those who have had COVID. It gives the best protection, especially against future variants, which natural immunity may not.
- (41:20) I read that a Moderna flu/COVID combo is in the works. Any word on this? It’s not available yet, but it’s a great idea. The flu vaccine still needs to be adjusted for each year’s strain, but even in years when the vaccine wasn’t the most efficient, it’s still reduced hospitalization and missed days of work. It’s OK to get both separately but at the same time now.
Monday, November 2 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. We’ll look at the psychology behind whether or not to get the vaccine. Dr. Danielle Johnson joins with how to discuss the vaccine, what to say to someone still on the fence, and how to best educate others.
NOTE: Journalists should rejoin the Morning Medical Update at 8am as doctors are growing too busy again for individual interview requests. Please bring questions or send to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu until further notice. Thanks for all you do and helping to keep the community safe with your reporting.
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