YO R K C O M E D S O C . O R G
FEATURE:
An Interview With
Dr. Steven Zanders
Associate Director of Intensive Care for Medical Critical Care for UPMC Memorial System System Director for Neurologic Critical & Stroke Patients
D
r. Zanders has spent the last 21 months in ICU units and has dealt with the physical and mental trauma brought on by the COVID 19 pandemic. The trauma continues as he deals with patients who made the decision not to be vaccinated. I asked Dr. Zanders several questions relating to his role as an ICU physician during the pandemic and the variants that are now present and affecting thousands of people every day.
Were you surprised by the behaviors of humanity? I have been more surprised by the most recent behaviors of individuals refusing to be vaccinated. The research and testing have proven the vaccines work and are safe. Masks provide additional protection from the spreading of COVID and its variants. When individuals decide not to get vaccinated or wear a mask, they are basing that decision on what they consider
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their personal freedoms without considering the impact their choice has on others. And instead of thanking us for the care they or their loved ones receive, they are angry and even claiming that COVID isn’t real but something the government made up. Meanwhile, beds in many hospitals are full of unvaccinated patients leaving no room to bring in patients with other diseases requiring treatment. As of now we are at full capacity and there is danger for patients with non-COVID related disease in getting help.
What perspective have you gained from the last 21 months in the Intensive Care Unit? There would be a different outcome in the future. Nothing can change the polarized nature of this. There have been many deaths in the ICU. Treatment plans had to be changed and limited by age. The entire health care system will and is being affected. Nurses and doctors are digging in and not giving up
