An open letter from Shreveport-Bossier City health and hospital systems

  • Published
  • By SHREVEPORT TIMES
  • LOUISIANA REGION 7 HOSPITAL/HEALTHCARE COALITION; CHRISTUS HEALTH OF SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY; OCHSNER LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT; OVERTON BROOKS VA MEDICAL CENTER; WILLIS-KNIGHTON HEALTH SYSTEM

To the Citizens of Shreveport-Bossier City and Ark-La-Tex,

As Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year are approaching and COVID-19 cases surge, the physicians, nurses, hospital and health system leaders on the front lines need your help. How can you help? Simply pledge to celebrate responsibly during the holidays. If you scale-back large celebrations, you can help to reduce the risk of infecting friends, family and others around you.

During the pandemic we have seen surges after every holiday, beginning with Memorial Day. Now, two weeks after Halloween, we are seeing uncontrolled community spread and infection once again. This places a tremendous burden on some hospitals, and that could affect the availability of care.

We ask you to please celebrate responsibly. Everyone is tired of the restrictions during a pandemic. We all long to be able to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, just as we always have. But this year we must be cautious. Large gatherings with people outside our immediate households present very real risks. So, please, minimize gatherings, wear masks, maintain physical distancing and wash your hands. 

These are the same science-based, common sense measures that flattened the curve this spring – and they are the best way you can protect your family and help our dedicated health care professionals and hospitals from being overwhelmed by critically ill patients.  Although we anticipate a brighter future in 2021 as vaccines bring immunization throughout the public, we must remain alert.

Doctors, nurses and other caregivers have tirelessly battled this virus for months. We need you to do your part by following public health recommendations we have seen work. You can help ensure that healthcare professionals will be able to continue to care for you and your loved ones.

Throughout the year we have recognized our healthcare heroes. Now it’s your turn to be a hero by helping us stop the surge of the virus in our communities.

In health,

Louisiana Region 7 Hospital / Healthcare Coalition
CHRISTUS Health of Shreveport – Bossier City
Ochsner – LSU Health Shreveport
Overton Brooks VA Medical Center
Willis-Knighton Health System

 

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