By Shaivi Manne

Grade 6, William Annin Middle School, NJ

​

March 28th, 2020

Doctors and health care providers are in the middle of this outbreak. One of our friends, Dr. Jack Levy, is a Dermatology Resident at a Georgia Hospital and one of many such doctors, whose day-to-day life has changed. After I interviewed him, I learned that he has recently been moved to the COVID-19 taskforce. He was kind enough to share a great deal of information on his specialization, which was not only interesting but also informative. This article is based on what I have learned from him and from the research on the web. 

 

Since all elective procedures and office visits have been postponed, Dr. Levy sees patients online in a video conference. Because of this, it is harder to observe the patient's rashes and spots, especially since his team normally uses tools like a dermatoscope. Dr. Levy also is working on recommendations to patients who have started on immunosuppressives, drugs used to reduce the strength of the body's immune system. Since this is a new virus, we do not know how patients who are taking medications that alter the immune system affect their fate if they should become infected with the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19. 

 

Since the hospital he resided at has temporarily closed, he spends some time triaging patients who had appointments during the weeks of hospital closure to see who needed medication refills. Dr. Levy’s hours are long too, anywhere from 7am to around 8 or 9pm including the weekends. This is quite a while to be working! The team sees 50-100 patients a day and so far, one has come in with coronavirus symptoms. His test is now pending. The others see him for his experience with dermatology. 

 

Most hospitals, clinics and nursing homes have a shortage of medical supplies. The doctors and nurses are encouraged to use their masks for up to a week, even though they should be discarded after each use to prevent contamination. Dr. Levy hasn’t gone into the hospital to directly aid COVID-19 patients yet, but specialty doctors, like himself, will greatly benefit the hospital system. They are anticipating that the hospital system will not be able to meet demands, the situation can change any day and he can be one of those frontline doctors to work directly with inpatients.

 

There are so many doctors, like Dr. Levy, who are tirelessly working to help the patients. And we thank you and all those who are taking care of us and our loved ones. We ask of them to stay safe and healthy, and let us promise to stay in and help them. 

​

​