TheBoldAge discusses a Moral Dilemma
By Marion Foreman. Published 2020-03-26
BOLD-LivingMarion discusses a very personal conundrum
We are, as everyone keeps telling us, in unchartered waters. This pandemic is something, the like of which, we have never seen before. My daughter, who is a Consultant Anaesthetist running an ICU, tells me that her team has prepared for all sorts of emergencies but never for anything on this scale.So, what do we do? Now I am not naturally someone who sticks to the rules. I had to go on a driver awareness course before I convinced myself that speed limits have a place and need to be stuck to. I certainly kick against every single rule that I don’t agree with. One of my granddaughters is just like me – she’s really struggling right now.So here I am – being told how long I can be outside every day – being told what is ‘essential’ to get from the shops. And do you know what? I am sticking to the rules – why? Because if we don’t more and more people will get ill and more will die. Sticking to the rules saves life – period. Where I am struggling is about returning to real work. I had lovely ways of earning money before all this started; I worked in the gym, I went to care homes and I ran circuit classes. And of course, I went to college and I wrote and wrote. The gym is closed, we can’t go into care homes and people with cancer are in a high-risk group. College is now online, and every meeting is on the phone. I have more time than I ever thought possible. I am enjoying writing and my daily walks and my workouts. But I feel guilty. I am a nurse, I started my training in 1972 (no, Florence was not my tutor!) and qualified in 1975. I have been a registered nurse for all that time. I have done my CPD, my accredited hours and all my revalidation tasks. So why am I sat at home when the NHS is crying out for help?
- I’m too old
- I’ll get tired if I work a whole shift
- I haven’t been on a ward for years
- I live with someone who has cancer
- I am trying to move to a new house
- I am scared
- I’m not too old to exercise every day
- I won’t get any more tired than I currently do with early starts everyday
- A bed bath is the same today as it was 50 years ago. Being kind and helping doesn’t change
- The cancer is well under control
- The house move doesn’t need my constant attention
- Of course, I’m scared but I’m experienced and highly skilled
- People are dying
- NHS staff are exhausted
- My daughter is scared too – and she goes to work every single day
- I AM A NURSE