MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > My dad is a physician, he’s 70 years old...

My dad is a physician, he’s 70 years old and still working - isn’t that dangerous?

posted 5 years ago by MovieBuff224 (5053)
30 replies | jump to latest

He’s about to turn 71. He’s an OBGYN and mostly works out of his private practice but does plenty of surgeries and deliveries as well so he’s in hospitals quite a bit. I’m very concerned, he’s in the high risk group and although he’s in pretty good shape for his age, exercises regularly and eats relatively healthy, I still feel like it is a huge risk for him to still be working.

He is a workaholic and very stubborn, and is skeptical of the dangers of this disease. He still thinks it is overblown despite all of the health experts in the world saying otherwise. I’m very concerned, I don’t know what to do. My siblings are as well but I seem to be the only one who feels it is urgent that he stop working immediately for now. They say “he’s being careful” even though that doesn’t mean anything, it is obviously way more contagious than simply washing your hands can prevent getting it and is now said to be spread simply by breathing. What should I do?

[–] Keelai (36157) 5 years ago

I hope you can convince him to at least wear a mask and goggles. It's not 100%, but it's better than no protection.

[–] MovieBuff224 (5053) 5 years ago

So you think it is a high risk him still working in the hospital?

[–] Keelai (36157) 5 years ago

The hospital where he works must have guidelines for him and other medical staff to follow in order to keep them safe.

[–] dmac8 (5050) 5 years ago

He's in healthcare. That's what they signed up for. They don't close shop at a time like this.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78604) 5 years ago

Cops, Teachers, Firemen and Medical personnel are very essential workers, they must continue their duties regardless of circumstances

Your Daddio is being responsible and carrying out his work, he's a good fellow

This will all blow over in a couple of weeks buddy👍

[–] MovieBuff224 (5053) 5 years ago

A couple of weeks?? They’re saying months at least.

[–] 102000 (6350) 5 years ago

Problem is they're shutting down everything and wrecking havoc on the economy for a couple of weeks. Cases will increase and some deaths, but I suspect the mortality rate will decline because of the increase in cases and because of that people will start going back to work, restaurants, bars etc. and the virus will start circulating again.

A handful of people will continue to be at high risk, (and my husband and I are in that category.) I'm not sure there is a way to eradicate this and eventually people will just get the virus - it will become endemic. Who knows if a vaccine will ever be found that is effective?????

What we had better do is start producing pharmaceuticals in this country and stop relying on China for something as vital to our well-being as that.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

These extreme measures aren't about stopping it, they're about flattening the curve. They are trying to avoid a spike in new cases because hospitals won't be equipped to care for everyone if that happens. If they can spread out the new cases that crop up, the hospitals will be better able to help those that need it. The problem of course with this is that it means that things won't be able to go back to normal in a couple weeks...we're probably looking at this being our new reality for at least a couple months.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78604) 5 years ago

Who the hell are 'they?'

Nobody knows a thing, the 'experts' are the biggest dummies of all

A couple of weeks from now and this is just an obscure reference

We're fine Amigo, these people need to stop watching 'the news,' it's all baloney

[–] AndyKing1967 (39859) 5 years ago

I would venture to say after a couple of months, it'll be business as usual. Governments will have to bail out the travel industry and more robust procedures will have to be put in place for when (not if) this happens again.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 5 years ago

That's what I think. The powers that be (WHO, CDCs) will still keep their eye out for it resurfacing, we'll think and behave a bit more differently than we did before, but overall life will normalise in a few months.

[–] AndyKing1967 (39859) 5 years ago

There’s also the possibility that a cure may be found too.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 5 years ago

Or a vaccine. (Hooray Canada, hooray Hollandia!)

[–] AndyKing1967 (39859) 5 years ago

The whole of the developed world have their best people on it - I remain positive.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 5 years ago

#MeToo

Honestly, now that most people are taking this seriously, I'm quite optimistic we'll be able to significantly slow down the spread of it (and the other flu viruses). More optimistic than I was before, even though things *seem* scarier on the surface.

[–] kukuxu (5409) 5 years ago

Support him.

There has been a cultural shift, but people from XXth century generation (specially US and Center and Northern Europe) had a different set of values. They defined themselves through what they did, and above all, through their work. For a physician, being there when people are in need and fall ill is what defines them, what allows a person to respect himself. If he decided to turn his back now, he wouldn't be able to watch his family and his people in the eyes.

People used to say that they'd rather die on their feet than live on their knees. It's unlikely something will happen to him. But even it that was the case, let him live and die on his feet.

This is a set values that has been abandoned. Nowadays it's not understood, it's seen as crazy, or even dismissed as white arrogance, but it was people like him that built a country. You wanna do something for him? Tell him how proud of him you are.

[–] MovieBuff224 (5053) 5 years ago

I can appreciate what you’re saying and I am proud of him but honestly none of this matters to me, the numbers are out there we’ve seen what’s happened in Europe and Asia. I’m not willing to take any chances, I only have one dad.

[–] Otter (24464) 5 years ago

Your dad is needed, all healthcare workers are. Babies aren't going to stop being born because of this, somebody's got to deliver them and take care of any other gynecological issue! I mean what are all the pregnant women going to do if all the Ob/Gyns stay home, go to the ER and be coughed on by God knows who? Your dad is being brave rather than foolish, and if he's dismissing the risk then it's more likely that he doesn't want to talk about risk than that he doesn't understand it.

However, this would be a great time to consider changes in his practice, and start pushing home births and making house calls whenever possible. Because yes, going to a hospital is risky right now, and will probably get more so. In affected areas some hospitals are already forbidding visitors, with the only exception being that those who are about to deliver babies are allowed to bring one family member.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 5 years ago

That's good advice, along with his dad taking precautions to protect his own health, like a mask and goggles or protective eyewear.

I can certainly understand and appreciate MovieBuff's fears. If his dad will do all he reasonably can to protect himself, that'll make MB feel better, and allow dad to do what he wants to and chose to do in this life.

I like the idea of encouraging home births.

[–] Otter (24464) 5 years ago

Thank you, I think the risks and benefits of home birthing vs. hospital birthing are undergoing a bit of a change at the moment.

So yes, MovieBuff, I think that home birthing is an appropriate thing to bring up with your dad. It both supports his dedication, which I think is as admirable as all get-out, and decreases his personal risk.

[–] MovieBuff224 (5053) 5 years ago

He has enough partners that he does not need to work, there is absolutely no excuse. He needs to put his pride aside, I think he’s being selfish. He has a big family.

[–] Otter (24464) 5 years ago

The healthcare industry is already kicking into disaster mode, and it's all hands on deck and everyone do what they can for the common good. Your dad may not be on the front lines like a pulmonologist, but every doctor is needed and will be needed in the crisis to come. Sure, he has partners, but what if some of those partners need to self-quarantine, or get sick, or chuck it all and go hole up in their lake house?

My guess that this isn't pride, or isn't just pride, it's also dedication and selflessness and putting the needs of others first, and thinking of the big picture. As you are not doing.

[–] MovieBuff224 (5053) 5 years ago

Yeah, I don’t think you’d find anyone who would want their dad working in hospitals at his age. Maybe if he was 40. He should be retired.

[–] Otter (24464) 5 years ago

Given the levels of compassion, thoughtfulness, selflessness, and wisdom you display on this board, I am SO glad you didn't follow your dad into medical school!

[–] SoapboxQuantez08 (646) 5 years ago

👀

[–] AndyKing1967 (39859) 5 years ago

He is taking ownership! It's natural to be worried, but you should be proud of him too.

[–] Keelai (36157) 5 years ago

Colorado and other states are now asking retired doctors and other medical professionals to help the shortage by returning to work. I heard a 78 year old doctor who had retired three years earlier on the radio today. He said he planned to return and wanted to make sure that there would be protection in place for those his age.

This article gives a little more information about it.
https://www.outtherecolorado.com/retired-doctors-nurses-asked-to-return-to-help-with-covid-19-outbreak-in-colorado/

[–] MovieBuff224 (5053) 5 years ago

While I appreciate the prestige, that’s just retarded

[–] Keelai (36157) 5 years ago

Glitchy website. This is the article.

https://www.outtherecolorado.com/retired-doctors-nurses-asked-to-return-to-help-with-covid-19-outbreak-in-colorado/

I corrected the link on the previous message too.

[–] Otter (24464) 5 years ago

If you get sick yourself, and are given the choice of being treated by a 78 year old doctor who came out of retirement or not being treated at all, because there's a shortage of doctors, you will try to kiss the aged doctor all over and thank him from the bottom of your heart for being there when you needed help.