Time to Restock Your E-PPE

“A year ago, we worried about dwindling N95-mask supplies ….  Now we are burning through our most irreplaceable health-care resource: hope.”   Chavi Karkowsky, MD  The Atlantic Commentary:  Link

Sigh … Here we go again.  Just when it appeared as if we were going to begin the long COVID-recovery journey, the “delta force” sweeps the country.  And with it, our collective will and emotional reserves seem to both be running on fumes.   

Here’s what I’m seeing (and often experiencing):  despair, disgust, anger, anxiety, fear, rage, confusion, demoralization, grief, isolation, numbness, frustration, resignation, weariness, guilt, shame – just to name a few.  Too many of us are feeling emotionally raw.  As I hear of more and more colleagues “losing it” in the midst of clinical responsibilities  (and thinking, “Yeah, I get it even as I know it’s ‘wrong.’ I’ve come too close myself.’”), it becomes painfully obvious how many others are teetering on that same edge as they struggle to hold it together.  I can see it in their eyes.

With the pseudo-end of the pandemic past us and as our seemingly unrelenting challenges continue, the resulting spread of negative emotional contagion demands that we heighten our “protection,” both for ourselves and others.  As such, maintaining an adequate supply of emotional PPE (E-PPE) and donning it appropriately is essential to our well-being both during COVID and beyond.   Here’s how that might look:   

Mask – Allow your E-PPE mask to be a reminder that words matter.  Watch yours carefully, being mindful to not spread any negative emotions to others.  Additionally, insist that others wear their “word filters” around you in order to block the spread of any of their own negative emotions.  Because it can sometimes be difficult to understand the speech of those wearing masks, clarify anything that sounds concerning to you and assume positive intent.

Goggles/Face Shield – Your E-PPE shield or goggles are more essential now than ever.  Be even more aware of making eye contact when speaking to others and allow your “eyes and voice to smile” when your expressions are hidden.   While wearing these, sometimes your vision can become foggy, so be sure to regularly seek the perspective of others to clarify what it is you think you are experiencing.   

Gloves and gown – Use appropriate E-PPE emotional protection and distancing when necessary, but don’t allow caution to become a barrier to essential relationships and life-giving connection, including the vital human need for physical touch, be it a fist pump, elbow bump  or hug.       

Remember, even as physical PPE appears to be in sufficient supply for the short-term, it is our collective emotional PPE that is more important than ever for the protection of ourselves and others.  The good news is that we don’t need to depend on a supply chain to replenish our stocks.  Emotional PPE is in abundant supply, so if you feel yours is running low, a colleague (your PeerRxMed buddy for one!) is always there to help.   Commiserate as needed, and then support each other to get to a more life-giving place.  In these emotionally laden times, we need to be remembering that now more than ever.  No one should care alone … ever ….