August 26, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklaho ni GPRWC critical care director: Pampa to allow Coronavirus is ‘serious’ just 50 percent By Manda Smith, Contributing writer Western Oklahoma may not have as many positive CO- Stacy Ford is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and a critical care director at GPRMC. She capacity at Friday’s game VID-19 cases as in the Oklahoma City or Tulsa areas, but has worked at GPRMC for 25 years. She has treated around that does not mean that it has not been affected. 35 patients in the ICU that are COVID-positive or COV- Doctors and nurses in Beckham County have come face ID positive-pending. She said their symptoms have varied, to face with this pandemic at Great Plains Regional Medical “with some being stable and not requiring any oxygen and Center, and they want the public to take it seriously. others that have required complete respiratory support, with By Don Munsch, Editor Dr. Robert Postlewait is a board-certified internal medi- some of these cases being very severe and requiring ventila- EIk City High School’s football team travels to Pampa cine physician who has been at GPRMC for one year and a tors.” Friday for its first game of the year, and Pampa will al- physician for 11 years and he has treated nearly 100 patients While taking care of patients in such distress can be nerve- low the stadium to be at just 50 percent capacity, Elk with COVID-19 between working at two major facilities. wracking, this is what the ICU staff is trained to do, no mat- City Schools said Monday morning. Masks will be re- He declined to name the other facility he has worked at other ter what illness has befallen the patient. quired upon entry. than it was larger than GPRMC and that it was in Oklahoma. “The ICU staff is trained to care for critically ill patients Parents and fans wanting to attend the game can ob- He pointed out that most cases don’t show symptoms. requiring BiPAP, Hi-Flow O2 or Vapotherm, and intubated tain their tickets via online at https://gofan.co/app/ “Respiratory distress seems to be the leading symptom ventilated patients,” she said. “Nursing relies on help from that brings people to the hospital,” he said. “Though by far Respiratory Therapy in taking care of the patients requiring events/93098. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and away, the majority of the COVID-19 patient population this equipment.” The University Interscholastic League, the governing presents asymptomatically.” These aspects of the job are the same, but there has been a body for high school sports in Texas, will allow just 50 However, when asked if he has seen any severe cases, he learning curve with this new virus. percent capacity at all football stadiums. Thus, fans and said, “Without question, non-severe cases do not lead to hos- “Here in the ICU we have learned how to get the families parents can take advantage by getting their tickets online. pitalization. Therefore they do not reach my level of care,” involved in the care team without them being able to be here In addition, masks will be required to enter the sta- but he has had to use ventilators with multiple patients. with us,” she said. “We are having a lot of phone conversa- dium, and they will bemandatory when social distancing While this is a new virus, he wants people to remember tions and FaceTiming with patients and families. As we have is not possible in the stands, concession areas and stand- that “an essential part of our basic training is working with learned more about the virus, we have adapted our care. Pro- highly contagious pathogens, so handling care within this ning a patient is a new skill for some of the staff, so we have All Oklahoma Coaches Association and OSSAA pass- scope is not new.” Postlewait said that treatment is decided had to learn about this procedure and get new equipment es will be accepted at the game. “in conjunction with the family’s wishes and options based to be able to do so safely. The staff has adapted to wearing ‘Money equals on the patients’ medical comorbidities and care standards. PPE for long periods and has become excellent donners and Because of the benefits of a globally connected world, we doffers.” strive to integrate what we know and discuss the different Stacy is “very proud of my staff and the hard, emotional treatments to provide the best care for each patient.” He also wants the public to know that the medical provid- work they have put forth the past few months in caring for these patients. One of the greatest challenges has been the freedom’: How the pandemic affects ers at GPRMC are there for people, and “if possible, turn visitation and worry that a patient would be alone at the end off the media noise and listen to your provider. If you have of their time. Staff, along with administration, has worked questions or concerns, make an appointment. Also, take ad- very hard to make the very best of this huge challenge. vantage of tele-visits if you are concerned with making an in-office visit.” GPRMC cares about their community.” See Coronavirus page 2. economic class By Jake Sheridan, Los Angeles Times Work beginning on new activity center LOS ANGELES - Ivan Mirabelli cruised through West- wood Hills, past manicured lawn, big houses and scattered laborers keeping his well-off neighborhood’s appearance up, even in a pandemic. Besides short walks and a few outdoor meetups, Mirabelli said he’s holed up at home. His job in finance - typically travel heavy, but now fully online - gives him that flexibility. “T don’t want to get sick,” said Mirabelli, 34, who called the adaptability of his gig a privilege. “I don’t have to make the tradeoff between my job and my safety.” But not all jobs changed with the coronavirus. Along the district’s rolling streets, people delivered packages, painted walls and pruned trees. “It’s like any other day. ... It seems pretty normal,” said Jose Ochoa, 28, who was landscaping a few blocks over. For workers, the attitude is “more like, ‘nothing’s going to really happen to me,’ because we have to do it either way,” Ochoa said. “People from here, they’re more cautious.” Five months into the pandemic, the coronavirus has preyed By Don Munsch, Editor improvements in Elk City. upon the fault lines of American society to expand inequi- Elk City just broke ground on the indoor activity center at Also at the meeting, Ivester told the commission that the ties. Economic fallout hits poorer Californians hardest, and Ackley Park West. city is in the initial stages of expansion of the rock yard, infection and death rates among Latino and Black commu- To be located across from Elk City Elementary School, which the city wants to operate as an independent entity. nities tower over those in white communities, where more the multipurpose center will include two stories and prom- “We can just make sure we’re tracking the profits and ex- have the means to stay home. ises opportunities for people young and old. The building penses to make sure it’s still a good deal for the city,” Ivester Aremarkable role reversal in mobility emerges as a prod- will have basketball and volleyball courts, walking track and said Monday about the rock yard. uct and producer of that growing disparity. multipurpose areas for people to watch television or play Hotel and motel receipts were down “drastically” from Social distancing varies by income, a new study pub- cards and games. last year in the last quarterly report, Ivester said. In May, lished by UC Davis to the National Academy of Sciences Interim City Manager Tom Ivester told the Elk City City receipts were down two-thirds of what they normally were, shows. America’s wealthiest, who are typically the country’s Commissioners at their Aug. 19 meeting that the building and April and June receipts were about half of what they most mobile, became its most stationary as the coronavirus site will have three construction entrances: one on the west were from last year. spread, while poorer people went from the most inert to the side; one on the north side, directly facing the elementary City Treasurer Lisa Church said sales tax for August was biggest movers. school; and one on the east side near the Thunder basketball down2 percent from this time last year, while use tax was up “People in poor areas may be at more risk of infection be- court. The activity center is part of the Community Action 3 percent over this time last year and cigarette tax was down cause they are social distancing less,” economist Joakim Project Plans to do various recreational and quality of life See Center page 2. See Class page 2. 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