This is my brother: Dr. Patrick Sheehan.
He’s an emergency room doctor, and brand new father to two-week-old baby Christopher, named after our dad. Patrick is on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic–willingly exposing himself to the virus so he can provide care to those who truly need it–but the country’s healthcare system is already becoming overwhelmed.
Today, I beg you to self-quarantine if at ALL possible, practice social distancing when it is not, and speak up when you see unsafe behavior. I know it’s difficult, especially when people around you aren’t taking the situation seriously yet. But we’re not in middle school. Stand up for what’s right.
If we learn from Italy, we can stop the spread and prevent emergency rooms and ICUs from collapsing. Don’t force doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to turn away the sick; to face the impossible and the unthinkable. Allow them to do their incredibly admirable jobs. They are real-life heroes, and now more than ever, they need our help.
Love you and proud of you, Patrick. ♥️
My brother is an ER doc too, and his message is the same – just stay home! I am so proud of him and also so scared for him.
This is really important, thank you for sharing this. It’s sad how widespread it has become, and it should be an eye-opener to people that it’s not to be taken lightly. One thing we can remember is that we can get in touch with our governmental leaders and put the pressure on to shut things down. I know it sounds economically harsh, but it will be much worse if things continue as they are without being contained. We can’t wait till things get even worse before we shut public places down, because it will already be too out of hand.
I’m not a political activist. I have never contacted my politicians. But this is an election year. Most politicians don’t want to make the hard choices because they don’t want people to bear that grudge into November. But many lost lives will bear a much harsher grudge than a month of closed businesses. If enough of us tell our leaders to take action, they will listen. But it has to come from us, not from polls. We have power here. It’s not enough for one city or one state to take it seriously. It has to be a national thing. And I really think that if enough of us speak up, they will listen. We have more power than we think we do.
I have many friends and loved ones in healthcare. My heart goes out to your brother. I pray that he stays safe.
Thank you Patrick!!! As an ER nurse I cannot stress the importance of staying home. We haven’t even gotten close to see the worst of the this virus. I’m scared for what’s to come! Please, please, please stay home!!!