Understanding the Initial Denial

In a surprising turn of events, my family, particularly the nurses among us, initially dismissed the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversations we had during the early stages often began similarly, whether via phone or face-to-face. My mother, who works as a nurse, would question:

“Why are there so few hospital beds occupied in my area and throughout California if this pandemic is truly escalating?”

To this, I could only respond, “I have no idea.”

She would then seek clarity on the proportion of COVID-19 fatalities linked to pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung cancer. Early in the crisis, I lacked the information until Dr. Barbara Ferrera from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health shared that approximately 92% of COVID-19 deaths involved individuals with such conditions. Feeling the need to relay the truth, I told my mother.

Her reaction was, “See, I told you. Only those in poor health are succumbing to this virus…”

While that claim was not accurate at the time, I’m sure you can empathize with the challenge of convincing someone entrenched in their beliefs. My family includes several COVID-19 skeptics: my mother, sister (also a nurse), brother-in-law, and stepfather comprise this group.

The Shift in Attitudes

After months of frustration with California's Governor Gavin Newsom for his stringent measures (which I personally view as justified), the COVID-19 skeptics in my family have begun to shift their narrative. While they still downplay the virus's rapid spread and potential dangers, there are signs of change.

My sister, also a nurse, has recently transitioned to a new role, leaving her outpatient position of 15 years. Now on the front lines of the pandemic, she is facing an overwhelming workload, often treating six patients simultaneously during her shifts. According to my mother, she is under immense stress and fatigue, with her family likely feeling the pressure as well.

After the holiday season, my sister sent a message indicating she had been working on the COVID-19 floor and wanted to ensure we were aware of her recent exposure.

My response was supportive:

“Don’t worry, Kristi. Mom updated us about your hectic schedule and safety protocols. Take care of yourself! We hope your workload normalizes soon. You're a hero on the front lines, and your efforts don’t go unnoticed. Stay strong. I recently lost a friend’s father to COVID-19. The work you’re doing is remarkable.”

After discussing with Kayla, we decided against gathering with family, highlighting how this shift in perspective about the pandemic is significant.

Additionally, my mother's narrative about Governor Newsom has also changed. She now attributes the increasing number of patients my sister must handle to the governor’s policies.

I find it perplexing that she blames him, especially considering that front-line workers have been preparing for this crisis for months. My sister's late arrival to this role is not indicative of a failure in the system.

The Reality of the Situation

I am astounded by the belief among some family members that the pandemic is not serious. Just because hospital beds are not filled to capacity doesn't negate the reality or severity of COVID-19.

If, hypothetically, the virus were to spread more rapidly in California, I pose this question to the skeptics:

How would front-line workers manage an overflow of patients? There aren't enough hospital beds available for California’s millions of residents, not to mention other emergencies that require immediate attention.

One suggestion was to utilize local universities as temporary facilities for COVID-19 patients, a measure that thankfully has not yet been put into action.

In conclusion, I urge everyone to wear masks in public settings and take this situation seriously. Remember, if the virus lacks a host, it cannot survive. The virus thrives on ignorance. Let’s unite to eliminate this threat.