Throughout the pandemic, we’ve stopped periodically to consider and celebrate the significant sacrifice and contribution of GPs in Victoria to help our patients and colleagues get through this trying, serious and prolonged disaster. So we should, and may that conversation never get old and peter out.
And by no means do I wish to set up a competition in tribulation between us - if ever there was a time we stood together and united
, it’s now.
But (and there’s always a but), there's a group of GPs who fly under the recognition radar, and for whom I have the greatest respect. I know some of these GPs personally, and I want them to know I can see their endurance and resilience and unassuming quiet industry. I’m talking about GPs out there without a functioning immune system. The people who have put themselves in various degrees of harm’s way to continue to serve their communities and colleagues.
I’ve seen what happens when an immunocompromised GP gets COVID and experiences more than 10 admissions in a year. I’ve seen what happens when a GP is cut off from the world and friends and family and clinic to try to protect themselves from a deadly game of COVID roulette.
I’ve also marvelled at the persistent humour, determination, and overall lack of complaining that I think these GPs are absolutely entitled to.
There’s nothing you or I can do to restore a GP’s immune function. What we can do to show our T-cell, B-cell and macrophage-challenged friends our support is get everyone we possibly can fully vaccinated , take to social media and call for widespread use of masks, and lead our communities to remain COVID-safe. They’ll appreciate it more than you know.
Dr Anita Muñoz
Chair, Victoria Faculty