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SARASOTA,
Fla. (WWSB) - On Saturday, Gov. Ron Desantis announced that there would
be a 30-day ban on visits to nursing homes as he acknowledged that the
virus is spreading through some communities.
The
recent visitation ban can make it lonely while staying at any assisted
living facility, and it also impacts family members who are concerned
about their loved ones.
I
had the chance to sit down with John Scalzi and talk about his recent
experience regarding not being able to visit his mother who is currently
in a rehabilitation center.
Transcript for the interview below:
Noel - How has it been lately with the Coronavirus and trying to help out with your mom?
John
- "It has so many ramifications. The first time that I experienced any
kind of personal involuntary involvement with the Cornonavirus situation
as supposed to voluntary, which is washing your hands and buying food
stuff that you can control. The involuntary relationship began early
Sunday morning when I went to visit my mom in a rehab center.
"So,
this is the first time that she has been in a hospital environment
which she has not had me there for the bulk of the day as her advocate,
medical surrogate, general caretaker when nurses or CNAs where not
around. It was a very very difficult thing for me. Initially, I was
incredulous that it could be. When I went to the rehab center to get in,
I did not know that this new regulation had come down from the
Governor, so it caught me by surprise. Then following that there was
that moment of anger. Then following that kind of the realization that
it’s understandable that it would be case.
"There
was also the understanding that the poor healthcare worker who had to
stand on the other side of the glass tell loved ones that they couldn’t
visit their spouses, their parents or husbands, wives. It must have just
been horrific for that individual to have to be able to do that. So,
that was a pretty large change in my relationship with the Coronavirus.
"As
somebody’s legal medical surrogate you want to make sure that they have
the best health care possible that’s number one and number two this was
my mother so obviously I had that to deal with as well, not being able
to see her. I understand what those regulations were about unfortunately
I think that the definition of caregiver is still a rather vague one
and I think everyone is coming to grips with that, and what that
definition actually means.
"But
you know you have to realize that we are all in this for the greater
good for that population that is so highly at risk. So, we have to
accept that and move on deal with it the best that we can.
"I
think about when I was standing there watching a gentleman who was
easily in his 80s, silver hair walking up to the door, impeccably
dressed with a picture frame. And, that picture frame was a picture that
span generations of family members. I’m sure. And they had been married
for years; 50 years who knows. And he was told that he was there to see
his wife and that and he was told that he could not do that. I can only
imagine how that must have affected him and it must have been the first
time in his life that he was not allowed to see his wife.
"You
don’t know how many lives are affected. So, when you wash your hands,
you may well be saving the life of a grandmother somewhere. It is
wonderful to be able to connect in any way that you can. There are some
facilities I understand which are purchasing tablets so that you can
face time with your loved ones in the hospital. It’s a wonderful thing.
It also helps to remind you how much you desperately want to be there.
But for them, at least it’s an opportunity to connect with you and if
you can do that, absolutely.”
You can also watch John’s interview on a special Suncoast View below:
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Full Article & Source:
John Scalzi, who cares for his 95-year-old mother, shares emotional impact of nursing home visitation ban
Praying.
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