COVID

Read: Leader of Mass. Medical Society pleads with residents to follow measures to prevent COVID-19 spread

“The second surge is here, and it is a threat to all of our lives.”

Medical professionals work at a drive-thru coronavirus testing site at CHA East Cambridge Care Center in May. Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

By Dialynn Dwyer

November 6, 2020

3 minutes to read

The president of the Massachusetts Medical Society is pleading with state residents to wear masks and stay at home to help protect health care and essential workers amid a rise in COVID-19 cases across the commonwealth.

David Rosman wrote in a Thursday statement that the choices made by Massachusetts residents “will save lives or will cost lives.”

“The second surge is here, and it is a threat to all of our lives, including those who choose to or must work closely with those who are ill and contagious,” the doctor wrote.

Massachusetts has seen the number of new coronavirus cases reported daily spike in recent weeks, with hospitalizations for the virus also on the rise. In response, Gov. Charlie issued a series of new orders this week, including a new mask mandate and a nighttime stay-at-home advisory, to curb the rising infections, which went into effect Friday.

“Taking unnecessary risks will inevitably drive the infection rate up and the increased exposure will deplete our health care workforce and essential workforce as more of our friends and colleagues fall ill — or worse,” Rosman wrote in his statement. “Please be considerate of those who are risking their own lives to care for your loved ones and those essential workers who do not have the option nor the economic means to work remotely.”

Read @MMS_President @darosman‘s statement on the increasing #COVID19 infection risk to #HealthCareWorkers and #EssentialWorkers: https://t.co/bFsE5SAKI7 pic.twitter.com/Y7hkIWcWDj

— Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) (@MassMedical) November 5, 2020

The state reported 1,761 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday and 23 new deaths — the highest number of new cases reported in a single day by health officials since the spring. As of Friday morning, the state’s total case count had reached 160,698, with the death toll for Massachusetts rising to 9,859.

Rosman reacted to the new numbers on Twitter, stressing that the pandemic is “getting worse” both locally and nationally. On Thursday, the United States reported more than 120,000 new coronavirus cases.

1761 new #covid patients here in #MA. I know we are all paying attention to the election but #COVID19 is getting worse here and around the country. Please. #WearAMask and #StayHome if you can.

— Dr. David Rosman (@darosman) November 6, 2020

Read the physician’s full statement below.

This coronavirus is not relenting and the choices you make will save lives or will cost lives.

The second surge is here, and it is a threat to all of our lives, including those who choose to or must work closely with those who are ill and contagious.

As physicians and as part of the health care team, it is our sacred obligation and honor to provide care to our patients during any circumstance, but that does not preclude us from fearing that this work – these confrontations with the coronavirus – could kill us. Many of us have lost colleagues or have seen our co-workers become critically ill.

By choosing to stay home or to wear a mask if you must be out, you’re not only reducing the spread of the disease and putting the health of your family and community at the forefront, but you’re protecting the lives of your health care team and essential workers.

We need to be doing everything we can to make certain that our health care resources – the most important being our people, our workforce – are not overwhelmed and can meet the influx of patients who need lifesaving care.

Taking unnecessary risks will inevitably drive the infection rate up and the increased exposure will deplete our health care workforce and essential workforce as more of our friends and colleagues fall ill – or worse.

Please be considerate of those who are risking their own lives to care for your loved ones and those essential workers who do not have the option nor the economic means to work remotely.

I am urging and pleading. Stay home and stay safe. Staying home includes choosing not to celebrate Thanksgiving in our customary ways, which is disappointing and gut-wrenching for us all.

We can and we will get through this, but just how quickly and how healthy is dependent on our willingness to make selfless sacrifices for the greater good.