Peek inside an Anesthesiologist’s work bag during the COVID era

 

          I am preparing to return to the operating suites after a six-week hiatus with an immune system naive to the pandemic. Instead of taking the planned world trip -Italy, Israel, Taipei, and Japan - I’ve been Netflixing and chilling at home with the rest of the well behaved Stay At Home citizens.

            Heading back to work in the operating suites, I don’t have the antidote but I do feel more prepared, emotionally and physically, than during the early pandemic outbreak in April. Are you curious how an (OCD) anesthesiologist prepares for work in the COVID era? Well, for this one, it’s all about the swag.

            I carry (in my obsessively wiped down plastic bag) the following gear:

            -KN95 Face masks with ear protectors

            -N95 mask

            -Hand sanitizer

            -Alcohol wipes

            -Gloves

            -A 3M respirator with disposable repurposed microphone covers to protect the filters in case of a COVID emergent intubation

            -A reusable face shield and goggles

            -Ziplock bags to encase my smartphone

-Pens, to gift to a patient to sign the Anesthesia consent form

             I also purchased plastic clog shoes and my dear friend made me cloth hair bonnets. I am as ready as I am ever going to be.

             Now if I could just silence my anxious 2 AM monkey brain all will be okay. Stay safe everyone, we will get through this together.