As a nursing home and hospice physician, I mostly feel sad that so many of the people I care for are dying—often without the basic comfort of a family member at the bedside. I also feel concerned and sympathetic for those whose lives have been—and will continue to be—devastated by either the loss of a loved one or the loss of their jobs, mortgages, businesses, and the familiarity and comfort of ordinary life, which may never be restored.

I am an Optimist

At the same time, as an optimist, I am trying to make lemonade out of all this. What might we gain from this pandemic? There are obvious tangible gifts, like the favorable impact on the environment. People have learned the importance of handwashing and how to do it correctly. The “great pause” has given people the chance to take stock, reflect, hold space, and perhaps appreciate some of the small things we usually take for granted. We have learned how to use digital technology more widely for virtual doctor visits—even palliative care visits and end-of-life advance care planning discussions—and for professional meetings, webinars, town hall meetings, and the like. When we are practicing social distancing, it is clearly a blessing to be able to commune with others even without the actual physical hugs and handshakes (which may become a thing of the past, sadly). Support groups like 12-step meetings (AA, NA, etc.) now have a large online presence that is invaluable for those practicing recovery from addictions. For health care professionals, online support for burnout is also available.

We have also seen a huge outpouring of charitable work of all kinds, and the heroic contribution of first responders and healthcare workers, who put their own health on the line in service to others—like the certified nursing assistants who work for close to minimum-wage salaries, doing the backbreaking but essential work of providing direct care to debilitated, frail, dependent elders and other chronically disabled individuals. Now more than ever, their efforts should be appreciated and celebrated. 

These are difficult times, and this is a cruel pandemic in many aspects—and we will continue to suffer the direct and indirect consequences for a long time to come. But over time, as the dust settles, I am confident that we will have learned some lessons and will come out of it changed for the better in many ways. Let’s be kind to one another, tell our loved ones we love them, we forgive them, we ask their forgiveness, and we treasure our relationships with them.

That is certainly a half-full glass of lemonade, right?  We will get through this together.

We appreciate working with Dr. Steinberg on end-of-life care issues and look forward to our continued partnership with the San Diego Coalition for Compassionate Care.  (Dr. Steinberg is pictured above with his wonderful Tessa, Charlotte and Josie.)

Photography by Ghislaine Guerin and Chris Montgomery.