On May 20, the Northfield EMS transported me (105 degree temperature) to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield suffering the effects of anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease. I was released Wednedsay after five days. At times, the related pain was excruciating. I was tethered to more IVs than an octopus. I worked for years in occupational health and safety. I’m conscientious about repellents, covering up while working outside and scanning myself carefully afterwards. After a day of hiking where I didn’t prepare as well as I might have done, I removed several ticks. I thought I’d gotten them in time. I felt fine for a couple of weeks then began to experience joint pain. Soon, I was in the ambulance unable to identify what a shoe was. I am very lucky.
Every health care worker who touched my life from the EMTs, the doctor in charge, and all the nurses, aides, cleaning, therapeutic, dietary, and administrative support staff are real heroes I will never forget. Many people rotated in and out to provide this care! It was hectic Saturday morning. Finally, during a lull, I turned on the TV. The first image I saw was Bernie Sanders introducing Medicare for All. His profound decency and common sense seemed perfectly timed. I thought of all the people who deserve coverage I have through Medicare and the supplemental plan that I pay into as a retired member of a strong labor union.
Please be vigilant in protecting yourself against ticks and in demanding health care justice. Seriously support health care workers in their struggles for greater safety and compensation. With climate change, we have more ticks with a longer open season than any prior time. Case rates are increasing dramatically. Keep pushing the people in power to address the acceleration of climate catastrophe.
Paul Morse
Northfield