Health care workers say they’re facing verbal and physical abuse amid spread of COVID misinformation

It’s a far cry from the times when well being care employees had been hailed as heroes. Well being care employees in Georgia say there’s a flood of aggression directed at them with every COVID wave. 

Dr. Lily Henson, the CEO of Piedmont Henry Hospital close to Atlanta, stated she worries for the protection of her workers. 

“Day by day I examine reviews wherein my workers are both verbally or bodily abused,” Henson informed CBS Information. “We’ve ensured that we’ve public security officers all through the hospital.” 

Simply 47% of Henry County residents are totally vaccinated, in keeping with the Georgia Division of Well being — a lot decrease than the 64% who’re totally vaccinated nationwide. 

“There’s a widespread notion in our neighborhood that COVID is a hoax, that it’s being overblown by the media,” respiratory therapist Steven Wasson informed CBS Information. 

Dr. Gregory Evans stated well being care employees repeatedly have “emotionally tense” conversations with households. Verbal assaults towards them embody “accusations of why we aren’t giving sure drugs that they could have researched on the web,” Evans informed CBS Information. 

The unfold of misinformation on social media about remedies for COVID has helped gasoline the assaults. 

“Day in and day trip they ask for these therapies that haven’t even proven to be efficient,” reminiscent of ivermectin, Henson stated. 

When hospitals are stuffed with sufferers that don’t belief science, it’s a dagger to morale, Henson added. 

“We get this menace that claims, you already know, ‘If my beloved one dies, it’s your fault.’ That’s actually heartbreaking,” she stated. 

Requested what she would say to those that promote the unfold of misinformation, Henson replied: “They’ve on their conscience, the lives of those sufferers.”

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