I went with Mr. Pesky to his appointment with a VA Cardiologist today. Masks are required in most every healthcare setting and I have zero problem with that.
We watched a woman bring in her father by wheelchair. She was pushing from behind and he was pushing his oxygen machine in front of him. One of the helpers (nurse? attendant?) came over and told him he must put on a mask. He flipped his shit!
Her: You have to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose.
Him: I can’t breathe in a mask.
Her: It’s hospital policy you have to wear it.
Him to daughter: Let’s go! I’m done here!
The poor exasperated daughter tried to comfort him… tried to get him to put on mask and leave his nose outside until he was called back. The nurse/helper disappeared behind the staff doors. Five minutes later, she comes out and says, “So are you staying for your appointment or leaving?”
He put the mask over his ears and pulled it up somewhat — the nurse chick now behind pushing his chair and unable to see if he had it up or not. But she was still ragging him… still going on about policy. The daughter turned to us after her Dad was out of earshot and told us he had COPD and dementia that sometimes caused him to become distressed and a bit unruly. 🙁
No exceptions!
The poor old dude was tore down and his daughter embarrassed. I felt awful for both of them. All for policy? Social distancing was enforced — heck, they had signs on the chairs to keep people from sitting too closely to one another. Couldn’t they have just taken the old Veteran back to a room?
Was it that horrific that his nostrils with oxygen tubes in them were exposed??
I guess there are some people that just love enforcing policy. I’m not some people. I do my best to make compassionate considerations when possible — and find alternate remedies. I hope you do as well.
TIL (Today I Learned): Jeffrey Dahmer accidentally roofied himself once instead of the intended victim, and he awoke to find that they had robbed him of several items of his clothing, $300, and a watch.