What a drag this COVID-19 is.
We've been lucky enough not to have a case (yet) here in Kotzebue. Since the only way in is by plane, we have public health nurses stationed at the airport offering COVID-19 screening right then and there. Only 70-80% of passengers take advantage of this, though all are advised to self-quarantine x 14 days once they reach their final destination (Kotzebue or one of the villages).
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| One of many handmade masks that have been donated |
There's been a lot of fear up here. Though we have no cases, there are a lot of questions. The Spanish Flu in 1918 hit hard up here, wiping out large numbers of people in the Arctic. This has been on people's minds, lots of worry and fear. Therefore, we're seeing a lot fewer patients both in the village clinics and at the hospital in Kotzebue. Even when we recommend they come in, some have refused, choosing to suffer it out. That's been hard for us, trying to properly care for our patients that won't show up. Of course we're delaying elective visits and procedures. But we still need to check in and address the acute issues that come along.
There's also a lot of uncertainty for our medical staff. We are just a small community hospital without an ICU. We do have a couple ventilators that we've dusted off, though few of us are fully comfortable using them if/when needed. When COVID-19 first hit the US in mid-March, we jumped into high gear and came up with trainings and protocols. We transformed rooms, preparing for pandemic numbers to flood through our doors. Those plans are still in place, though we've become much more relaxed. That doesn't mean we don't expect the virus to come, because we absolutely do. But we have so few cases in Alaska that now, if we get a really sick patient, there's more of a chance we can fly them down to Anchorage safely so they can get all the care they need.
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| One of our planes that go to the villages |
I've been enjoying the outdoors whenever I can. It's now light from 5am - 1am, so there's plenty of opportunity to be out, even after work. My neighbors were kind enough to come over and put up some blinds on my bedroom window so I can block out the sun to sleep. I'm still not shutting down very efficiently and often find myself wide awake well after 10pm, making 6am seem awefully early to have to get up.
Warmer and longer days
The lagoon outside my window still has a solid ice cover, though the overlying snow is mostly melted. And the snow piled up all over the sides of the roads is now producing impressive puddles that are challenging to traverse. I've had to find a new route to work to avoid getting my feet soaked on the way. And some days, the puddles in town have been so deep that vehicles have to redirect for fear of ruining their engines by submersion.
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| These puddles are intense |
We have an 8.5 mile loop outside of town that I've been enjoying. My neighbors are very ambitious and have been taking me along for the hike.
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| It's so pretty here |
We've heard rumors of a moose sighting though have yet to spot it ourself. But there are tons of birds that have seemingly appeared out of no-where. Even ducks, suddenly here and bustling about. We have big black crows that hang around through the winter, they are tough.
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| The crows are resilient |
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| Some caribous parts discovered on a loop hike |
We should be getting berries soon, that will be fun. Bears also enjoy the berries, so I'll stick with my neighbors who have both bear spray and a gun.
One wonderful thing my hospital has started offering is fruit and veggie boxes. There are 4 different options that can be ordered once a week and are delivered right to the hospital. I got my first box a couple weeks ago and get my next one this week. What a treat to have lettuce, snap peas, fingerling potatoes- I could go on and on. Having something to prepare that's not frozen or canned is fabulous!
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| Fresh fruits and veggies- so yum! |
I'm anxious to be able to take another trip to civilization, even within Alaska. I don't want to have to self-quarantine x 14 days when I come back, so am holding off for now. But there's something about being able to grocery shop and eat food prepared by someone else that is so intruiging.
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| A new shelf I procured to use as a pantry. I still have a decent sized stash. |
Until then, I will continue exploring this northern land and soak up all the Vitamin D that the extended sunlight has to offer.
