Local hospitals issue open letter to COVID-fatigued citizens of southwest Illinois
In a letter to citizens of the metro-east, the administrations of 10 local hospitals acknowledged the pandemic fatigue they all must be feeling.
And, then they added, “we’re tired too.”
“You’re tired of being told to get vaccinated and boosted, wear your mask and avoid crowds,” it said. “We know you are tired of hearing about the surge. You’re tired of life being canceled. You just want to get back to normal.”
The letter — which included independently owned hospitals as well as those operated by HSHS, BJC, OSF Healthcare, and Southern Illinois Healthcare — is titled “A Letter to the Community: Your local hospitals’ wish for the New Year.”
It reminds patients that hospital beds are filling up fast due to a new surge and of the strain it’s putting on healthcare workers. It urges vaccinations and continued vigilance.
“We are here to serve traumas, illnesses, and yes, many COVID-19 patients, most of whom are unvaccinated. Our teams are strained. Capacity is being pushed to the limit,” it says.
Here’s the entire text of the letter:
To the patients, families and communities we are proud to serve,
It’s us, your southwestern Illinois hospitals who are reflecting on the coming New Year and have a wish that you can help make come true.
We know you’re tired of COVID-19 — trust us, we are, too. You’re tired of being told to get vaccinated and boosted, wear your mask and avoid crowds. We know you are tired of hearing about the surge. You’re tired of life being canceled. You just want to get back to a normal.
We want that, too, but we aren’t there yet. We are here to serve traumas, illnesses, and yes, many COVID-19 patients, most of whom are unvaccinated. Our teams are strained. Capacity is being pushed to the limit.
We’re tired, but we’re not going anywhere. We’re here to care for you you, support you and give you the best of ourselves, whatever may come. But we need your help to start 2022 with a chance to reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Our wish this New Year is simple — take one more step to protect yourself and those around you. Don’t look back and think about the “what ifs.” “What if I had stayed home when I was ill?” “What if I had worn a mask in crowded indoor areas?”
Please get vaccinated and boosted. Please get tested. And please mask when you should.
Sincerely,
Alton Memorial Hospital, Anderson Hospital, Gateway Regional Medical Center, HSHS Holy Family Hospital, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, Memorial Hospital in Belleville, OSF St. Anthony’s Health Care Center, and Touchette Regional Hospital.
This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 12:46 PM.