On behalf of the officers, board members, and staff of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians, I thank all of you for the critical work you are doing on the frontlines during the COVID-19 health crisis. We know you are receiving messages from numerous organizations detailing the efforts they are making to do their part, so we don’t want to waste your valuable time. Please know that we are proud to represent and serve you.
The risk you are taking caring for acutely ill patients has never seemed as palpable as it is now. Remember to take care of yourself by getting proper rest, eating right, exercising, and using appropriate protection. Two emergency physicians are currently critically ill elsewhere in the country with the coronavirus. Undoubtedly, more of us will fall ill with it as well. We need to support each other when we work side by side and when the need to cover for an ill colleague arises. Protect yourself, protect your patients, and protect your families. It is crucial to stick with guidelines and protocols established by the experts even though they may change daily and impact our routines and efficiency greatly. Being there 24/7 for anyone that seeks care is what we do best.
We are including several links to important updated COVID-19 information that need daily review by yourself or those in your organization tasked with filtering it for you. Use social media to support each other rather than to spread rumors or personal practice recommendations.
If the college can be of any additional service to you, please contact us. We have put our educational programs on hold and we are available to assist you if we can. Most of you are members of strong groups that will provide you with direction and support but if you lack those resources, we stand ready to assist.
And one more time – wash your hands.
Warren Lanphear, MD, FACEP
President
Michigan College of Emergency Physicians
Michigan https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus
ACEP https://www.acep.org/corona/COVID-19/
MCEP https://www.mcep.org/covid-19-resource-center/
CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
WHO https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen
NIH https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus
Global Case MAP https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6