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One by one, the frontline medics stepped forward, removed their masks, and appealed to the public: to get vaccinated.
About 75 doctors from Palm Beach County, Florida gathered outside before sunrise Monday to implore the community to get vaccinated in a bid to stop the horrific spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
“The vaccine is still the most effective and reliable way to stop this madness,” said Leslie Diaz, infectious disease specialist.
Currently, the Florida healthcare system is struggling to cope with the burden of the Delta variant. State hospitals are filling up, with more than 85% of inpatient beds occupied, according to the latest report from the Florida Hospital Association.
“We are exhausted,” said Rupesh Dharia, an internist. “Our patience and resources are running out and we need your help.”
In the past week, more than 150,000 people in Florida have tested positive for COVID.
“It has been two long years, and frankly we are all exhausted, both physically and psychologically, but nonetheless we remain focused and determined to continue providing the best medical care to our patients,” said Lee Fox, chief of Jupiter Medical Center practice.
Unvaccinated people between the ages of 18 and 64 cause the hospital burden to increase and then express regret when they are found extremely ill with the virus.
“It’s so frustrating,” said neurologist Jennifer Buczyner. “A lot of these patients have decided not to get the vaccine, but when they are hospitalized they tell us they wish they had.”
More than a dozen medics, most dressed in lab coats or hospital gowns, came forward at the press conference on Monday to speak.
Ethan Chapin, an emergency room doctor, said he was about to start his shift for the day.
“The number of people I’m going to see today that I don’t need, who don’t need to be there, who shouldn’t have been there in the first place if they had followed the simple advice to get vaccinated, ”he said, begging people to get vaccinated. “Trust us now in what we tell you.”
One point that many doctors have reiterated is that they too are part of the community and need help from members of their community.
“It’s important to know that we are all here as a medical community, but we are also part of your community,” Chapin said. “We buy from the same stores. We go to the same bars. Our children go to school with your children.
Currently, 62% of the population of Florida has received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.
“The face of COVID is the person standing next to you,” Diaz said. “This is the unknown, and it is very unpredictable, so I beg you and the community, once again, please get vaccinated.”
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