Problems still lurking in new COVID surge

This is where Illinois stands, for those who don't know: this COVID-19 surge is and will be worse than the first.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking, "we survived the first one, what's the big deal?" The virus is more widespread than it's ever been.

Your odds of getting it have never been higher. Hospitalizations have never been higher. Yes, doctors know how to treat it better than in the spring, but there are other problems lurking.

"Can't hospitals just open more beds?" you may ask. They can, but it's not so simple. First, there are finite medical resources. We don't have a never-ending supply. Second, beds don't mean much if you don't have health care workers to staff them. Hospital leaders have been drawing attention to staffing concerns - which is really the major difference between this surge and the one in spring.

In the spring, the Chicago-area was worse off than most of the state. Luckily, health care workers from central Illinois and Wisconsin were able to travel and help us out. Then Illinois returned the favor when Wisconsin and Texas started to surge. With most of the country surging right now, there's no help on the way.

Not only is no help coming, but we are losing health care workers in the field each time one falls sick with COVID. They aren't just exposed to it at work. When community transmission is rampant, health care workers are vulnerable, too.

We control community transmission. That means wearing a mask in public. Stay at least six feet away from others. Avoid indoor gatherings. Wash your hands regularly.

Healthcare workers are working very stressful, long hours. The pandemic has given them PTSD. It also means that, statistically, they're more likely to leave the health care field altogether. We can't afford to lose these heroes.

Alex Russo

Aurora