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Maria's avatar

Well, I have to comment even if it is late.

First of all, and most importantly, as a nurse who not only works in an acute care hospital, but has been the Charge Nurse of our hospital's designated Covid Unit since March of 2020, I'm here to tell you Covid is real. I have no reason, no incentive, I gain nothing by exaggerating or flat out lying. I have never, in my 30+ years in healthcare, seen anything remotely like this. My condolences to those of you who lost loved ones to this.

Secondly, I am not going to preach about vaccination, but I will tell you that we are currently experiencing a second surge, (the first big one being in December-January), and, at least in my community hospital, about 85-90% are unvaccinated folks. Of those who are vaccinated, all but 2 have been discharged home. Again, I have no reason to make this up. Helps me not at all. You can decide what to do with this information.

That out of the way, I want to say that I am signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon that is, as of today, still taking place on 10/31. I do not think that this is a mistake for multiple reasons. The closing down of our society last year had as one of its primary goals to help hospitals prepare themselves for what was coming and not overwhelm them. Although that goal certainly fell short of the mark this past winter, I believe that with vaccinations, more protective equipment, medical knowledge, and treatment options, we should fair much better now. I also agree that outdoor activities are much safer, especially if proper protocols are in place.

Traveling has its own problems, but again, following proper safety measures, such as masking, vaccinations and/or proof of Covid negative tests, should minimize these risks.

Though I never want to go through what we went through this past winter, I also don't want to go back to a closed society. If death rates start to go up again, though, I will understand if they cancel, and though disappointed, will run the event virtually as I did last year, and try again for 2022.

Sorry for the long post. Stay healthy and keep running (walking, swimming, biking, hiking, etc.)!

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Steve Leitschuh's avatar

One word for you from my heart... without you, many more people would die... Stay SAFE... without people like you, I hate to think where we'd be...

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Marianne Rigby's avatar

Thank you for your update and view of someone on the "front lines"........Prayers for your good health and may we continue to move forward toward a healthier Country.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Thank you for sharing all of this, Maria! Very, very eye-opening.

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David Weinstock's avatar

Did my 1st in-person half this morning (postponed twice from 3/30/20). I truly have missed the cheering on of the first timers, the jokes, the passing and be passed by pairs of runners, the general “family-ness”

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Stacy, formerly HHR's avatar

What event did you do yesterday? And did you happen to do Clay Loop 15k a couple of weeks ago?

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David Weinstock's avatar

It was the Sunrise Half & 5K … just west of Fort Lauderdale FL … been in 80s and low 90s all month but it was cloudy and a little breezy for 9 1/2 miles … very good fortune!!

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