It 11pm on a Friday night and there’s a knock at the door. I check the camera and my mouth goes dry. I start racking my brain trying to remember who is out for the night.
“Are you Dr Markland?”
Oh no.
“We are sorry”
No. no.
“You’re the subject of a death threat”
Strange Relief.
Today marks the last day of rural health week in AB.
First, a shoutout to all of my colleagues in rural AB, doing an amazing job working in an under-resourced setting.
Here are just a few examples of how rural health is being attacked and undermined in AB.
A thread… /1
@shandro
24 Hours...
That’s how close I was to getting vaccinated until I developed COVID symptoms after a positive contact.
Many weeks - is how long I watched and waited while other provinces vaccinated their Family Physicians. 1/5 @DShepYEG@Albertadoctors@AB_MD_WarRoom
We have a hyperinfectious Covid variant circulating in the community, a vaccine shortage and are just on the verge of restoring contact tracing. If we pursue a #COVIDzero strategy we can be out of this by March. If we don’t we can forfeit our sacrifices & see a huge 3rd wave.
"I don't need the vaccine," they said while enjoying life without polio, tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rubella, measles, whooping cough, the mumps, smallpox, diphtheria, rabies, rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, HPV, meningococcal disease, shingles and a bunch of 1800s stuff
On Friday night, I chatted with @CBCNews about independent public health leadership in emergencies. No surprise, I disagreed with the conservative strategist on the panel.
Their arguments might soundbite well, but they're wrong.
(Thread)
#cdnpoli#MedTwitter#COVID19
What am I missing? Why is Alberta debating lockdown vs no lockdown?
Why isn't it debating how to MAKE irresponsible citizens take proper precautions like masking and distancing?
They are not essential they say. They are not front-line workers they say. We can spare them during a pandemic they say. But why is our healthcare affected when these apparently "non-essential," "non-front-line workers" strike? Ask @Kenney and @shandro.
Health-care workers take to the streets: “Across this province, working people are rising up against Jason Kenney’s job-killing policies and are joining the fight in solidarity," says #AUPE president Guy Smith. #abhealth#ableg https://t.co/mNtAQ6OgPr
Medicine is 20% hard work, 30% compassion for others, and 50% convincing yourself the patient’s test results which are slightly outside the normal range are probably fine.
Lots of folks say “you must be brave” when they find out I work in the ER.
It’s true that I don’t (usually) get upset at the sight of blood. But there are plenty of things that scare me.
A non-exhaustive list of things this emergency physician is afraid of:
Our review of active cases shows that many people are going to work or social gatherings when symptomatic & awaiting results. This is a significant risk & causing case #s to rise. If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to social gatherings, including this Thanksgiving. (5/11)
Had a doctors appointment with a surgical specialist today, towards the end of our appointment he asked if I had any other questions.
Yes, I said, how are you doing?
Confused by my question, I mentioned the political climate in Alberta his response:
Dear @ryanjespersen,
I want to thank you for being a good man. I feel that you showed integrity and kindness in your approach to news radio. While the easy path was reactionary pandering, you were always about “the story”. I wish you the absolute best in the future.