Cindy Firkins Smith, MD: We can do this, together

Since it feels like we’re living in a fictional universe, it seems appropriate to quote Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times….”

Living through a pandemic certainly qualifies as one of the worst of times. We’re afraid. We don’t know what’s coming or who will be affected. We’re worried for our loved ones, our jobs and the country’s future.

But with this amazingly, comes the best of times. We’re seeing our communities come together, the way Minnesotans always do. We’re stepping up with donations and anything we have to help. Health care professionals, staff, and retired doctors/nurses are offering to help however they can.

People want to help — you can.

• Your local health care systems, public health, EMS and other teams meet regularly to plan, prepare and respond. We’re working to offer care services through phone or video visits when possible. Be patient with us, this is new territory. Stay calm
  
• Efforts to distance from each other will slow the spread. This is a virus and stops if we do not spread it. Wash your hands. Do not travel. Do not arrange group visits or playdates. This will pay off. The goal is to slow the rate enough to buy time; to manufacture protective equipment, to work on medicine and/or a vaccine and to allow our health systems to prepare. Stay the course.
• Check-in with reliable health information sources like CarrisHealth.com, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health. Find the truth and don’t share rumors. Stay informed.
• Check in with the frail, isolated and elderly. Ensure they’re okay and help if you can safely. One person getting groceries for vulnerable people is better than all going . Stay connected.
• Follow the StayHomeMN order. We cannot medicate or ventilate our way out of a pandemic. This virus is not as smart as we are as a community. Don’t spread it and we all win. Stay home.

We will get through this together. I’m proud to live and work in rural Minnesota.

Cindy Firkins Smith, MD

Chief Executive Officer
Carris Health, Willmar

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