You may think this is crazy, but Jason is back in Lima. We made a quick decision to send him down last week not knowing exactly what it would all look like but feeling a purpose in sending him.
A couple days ago we began to understand more of the purpose for Jason being there — one young woman in the building just tested positive for COVID-19. Today about 50% of the Hope House residents have at least one COVID symptom. We have been bracing for this moment through the pandemic and now it is here.
Today I read that there are only 102 ICU beds available in the entire country of Peru right now.
The President has reinstated strict lockdown measures again to try to slow the spread. Experts also are saying that Peru needs roughly 1,250 doctors to adequately care for that many ICU beds. The current number of doctors in Peru — 600. It starts to feel a little like facing a major battle with just a butter knife.
Jason is right smack in the middle of it. And the truth is, I could not be happier!
He has antibodies from his recent COVID sickness and the first dose of vaccine. But more than that, this is what Jason was born to do. This is the man I fell in love with. Someone who used to seek out jobs in emergency rooms and community health clinics. The man who regularly treated snake bites and broken bones as people risked their lives to cross the southern U.S. border in search of something more. And who was affectionately called “Dr. Jason” by many, many patients.
They are taking every precaution they can in Lima. Everyone is staying isolated in their own room. The ones who are well are taking turns preparing meals and delivering food to those who are sick. Bathrooms are being disinfected after each use.
Several times a day I hear from Jason after he has made his “rounds” — going through all five floors to each room to check on his patients. As of right now, their symptoms are all being treated with tylenol, ibuprofen and a ton of reassurance. They do have the best “doctor” I know taking care of them!
