Medical personnel often wear scrubs, or white coats, to prevent outside pathogens from being introduced to hospitals and also to serve as a means of identifying medical workers.
As of now, there are over 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pierce County. Hundreds of medical professionals work tirelessly on the front line while risking exposure each day in their endeavors to mitigate this crisis. Among these front-liners is Miles Ching, a nocturnist, or night shift hospitalist, working for Franciscan Health at St. Joseph’s hospital in Tacoma. On a daily basis, Ching sees around four-seven patients of varying degrees of COVID-19 risk. “When I see a patient who is not suspected of having COVID-19, I will always have a surgical mask, an eye shield, then an N95 underneath my surgical mask, and rubber gloves as well,” Ching stated. An N95 mask is a type of respiratory protection equipment that is designed to fit the face of its wearer and acts as an effective filter, blocking 95% of 0.3 micron test particles. It is recommended by the CDC as a sufficient protective measure against COVID-19. “These are generally considered adequate for these patients.” In addition to low-risk cases, Ching also sees patients suspected of COVID-19 and those who have already tested positive. When he sees these patients, Ching wears a disposable gown and a CAPR. A CAPR is a type of face
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Personal perspective of a front-liner during the COVID-19 pandemic
article and photo by Sofia Guerra, originally published 4/24/20
