Dr. Tyler Hughes: This is simply the plea of a concerned physician to his family and friends

Editor’s note: This originally appeared on Facebook

I don’t post often on social media. But today, I feel compelled to give you some insight from someone on the front lines.

We are tired. For the past 18 months or so, we have been continually dealing with COVID-19 as well as the ramifications of COVID-19 on our health care system. And now, we stare down the barrel of this loaded gun yet again. The misinformation and bickering present on social media (on both sides of this issue) is extremely detrimental to our ability to appropriately care for patients.

Part of my job is providing emergent airways in the hospital. If a patient needs to be placed on a ventilator emergently, they often call me, and I handle it. I have intubated hundreds of patients.

Before COVID-19, most of the time when I intubated a patient, it was with the understanding that it was generally a temporary measure to give the patient a chance to recover from the underlying medical issue. COVID-19 changed the game.

When you intubate a COVID-19 patient, not only are you putting yourself at great risk, you are also doing so with the understanding that the patient is extremely ill and there’s a chance they may not survive. Now, part of my normal routine is to let patients call or FaceTime their families before they go on the ventilator. It’s heartbreaking.

Growing up in this small town, I know most of the people I see in the hospital. It is not fun, nor is it fair, to feel like you may be the last person that someone talks to or sees before they go on the ventilator. COVID-19 has made all of this a harsh reality. And now, with this latest surge, we are looking it dead in the eye again.

Vaccination has been an extremely polarizing issue. I see misinformation posted daily. I usually choose not to engage in those discussions because, for the most part, it’s always fruitless.

I strongly believe in the right of a patient to weigh risks/benefits and make the decision that is right for them. What frustrates me is the extreme amount of misinformation present. Anyone that knows me knows that I want nothing more than the best for everyone.

If I felt like the vaccine was unsafe, I surely wouldn’t take it or recommend it. COVID-19 and vaccination has nothing to do with politics. This virus doesn’t take political sides. It doesn’t heed to race, religion, or political affiliation.

The vaccine has a great safety profile, and it works. Can you get COVID after being vaccinated? Yes. Does it strongly reduce your chance of becoming severely ill and requiring hospitalization? Yes.

I will recommend vaccination 10 times out of 10 as opposed to becoming severely ill from COVID-19. I strongly support your decision to make the choice that is right for you as a patient, yet I strongly feel I would be remiss if I didn’t at least publicly recommend getting vaccinated.

I am greatly concerned for your health. I want nothing but the best for my family and friends – I would never do anything to purposely put anyone in harm’s way. If you have questions, and would like to discuss it with me, I am more than happy to discuss this with anyone. I won’t respond to comments on this post, however – I have no desire to publicly debate anything.

This is simply the plea of a concerned physician to his family and friends.

Be safe. Be diligent. Wash your hands.

Tyler Hughes, MD is a physician in Guntersville