It is a far cry from the times when well being care staff have been hailed as heroes. Well being care staff in Georgia say there is a flood of aggression directed at them with every COVID wave.
Dr. Lily Henson, the CEO of Piedmont Henry Hospital close to Atlanta, mentioned she worries for the security of her workers.
"Each day I examine experiences by which my workers are both verbally or bodily abused," Henson informed CBS Information. "We have ensured that now we have public security officers all through the hospital."
Simply 47% of Henry County residents are absolutely vaccinated, in response to the Georgia Division of Well being — a lot decrease than the 64% who're absolutely vaccinated nationwide.
"There is a widespread notion in our group that COVID is a hoax, that it is being overblown by the media," respiratory therapist Steven Wasson informed CBS Information.
Dr. Gregory Evans mentioned well being care staff frequently have "emotionally tense" conversations with households. Verbal assaults towards them embrace "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 therapies for COVID has helped gas the assaults.
"Day in and day trip they ask for these therapies that haven't even proven to be efficient," comparable to ivermectin, Henson mentioned.
When hospitals are filled with sufferers that do not belief science, it is a dagger to morale, Henson added.
"We get this menace that claims, you understand, 'If my cherished one dies, it is your fault.' That is actually heartbreaking," she mentioned.
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."