61 - A tribute to the global Intensive Care community for your COVID-19 efforts

2020 has been a roller coaster year and I wish to acknowledge my friends of the Intensive Care world for your outstanding and awe-inspiring efforts as clinicians, researchers, educators, digital content creators, and mostly as human beings, compassionately caring for others in a truly unprecedented global crisis.

COVID-19 is far from over yet. Massive numbers of cases are still being reported each day and many countries are re-instituting public health-focused social and business restrictions. So whilst the pandemic continues, unabated, it feels like the right time to reinvigorate the Mastering Intensive Care podcast, after a 6 month break, with an episode where I express my gratitude to each of you individually, thanking you for what you have done so far, and for what you will likely need to continue to do.

This isn't a thank you to one discipline of people who work in the ICU. It's to every single person, in every role, who has supported either the people admitted to or those who work in any ICU in the world.

We need to look after each other as the pandemic is not going away. The promise of a vaccine is really only that. And many of you have done it tough either through the gruelling and onerous work or through the exhausting fatigue, whether that be physical, mental or emotional, you've suffered.

There have been many patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICUs, there have been many deaths, and sadly there have been many healthcare worker deaths, including Intensive Care professionals. My heart goes out to those who have died, their families and especially you as their colleagues. It has been one of the hardest things you have all had to deal with.

The emotional turmoil, let alone the physical toil, many of you have been under has been extreme. And all I can hope for is that things settle down very soon.

Thank you and well done. You are true heroes.

Please listen to my tribute to the awesome and astonishing Intensive Care community of the world.

Andrew Davies

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About the Mastering Intensive Care podcast: The show focuses on the human aspects of what happens at the Intensive Care Unit bedside. The aim is to inspire and support you to bring your best self to work as well as to be the most kind, compassionate and effective Intensive Care professional you can.

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Links to recent COVID-19 podcasts on Mastering Intensive Care

Steve McGloughlin - Preparing for the COVID-19 pandemic (MIC #59)

Firsthand COVID-19 patient experience from New York ICU nurse Simone Hannah-Clark (MIC #60)

Links related to Mastering Intensive Care podcast

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Mastering Intensive Care at Life In The Fast Lane

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Audio Producer Chris Burke

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