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Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

COVID-related nursing shortages hit hospitals nationwide | CIDRAP

The US health system already had a nursing shortage before the pandemic began, say both Boston-Leary and Hansen, who adds there was a permanent 100,000-person vacancy.

ICU nurses especially have a large turnover, not only because of the alarm fatigue but because of the desire to have better schedules, lower risk, or career advancement. Before the pandemic, new nurses were rarely placed in the ICU. But now, to help address the deficit, internships, preceptorships, and residency programs have been put in place to ensure a continued flow of workers.

No pipeline is enough during the pandemic, Boston-Leary says. To help remedy the pinch in ICU and other departments, some nurses have graduated early to join the workforce, patient care techs took on additional work, and nurses have transitioned to new areas. No matter the amount of innovation, though, she says the numbers just don’t work.

Cindy Firkins Smith, MD, Carris Health co-CEO, adds, “The difference between this and a natural disaster is the time it entails. … A hurricane hits or a tornado hits, and it’s a huge disaster. But it hits and it’s done, people react, take care of it, we recover and go about our normal business. This has been going on for months and continues to go on.”

Source: COVID-related nursing shortages hit hospitals nationwide | CIDRAP

A third COVID-19 lockdown for Israel is unavoidable now – The Jerusalem Post

The writing is on the wall, and everywhere you care to look, Israel appears to be headed for a third lockdown.

Through a combination of inconsistent government policy, flagrant disregard of regulations among certain segments of the population and the inevitable outcome of opening more of the country, the numbers of infected are steadily rising. Source: A third COVID-19 lockdown for Israel is unavoidable now – The Jerusalem Post

11 Facts About Coast Redwoods, the Tallest Trees in the World

For thousands of years the people of the area managed to live in harmony with these ancient trees, understanding the importance of their unique forest ecosystem. And then the gold rush happened. With the arrival of hundreds of thousands of gold-seekers starting in 1849, the redwoods were doomed. Logged into near oblivion to keep up with the demand for lumber, today, only 5 percent of the original old-growth coast redwood forest remains, fewer than 100,000 acres dotted along the coast. Source: 11 Facts About Coast Redwoods, the Tallest Trees in the World

Coronavirus: Germany to create 19 medical storage facilities for future emergencies | News | DW | 30.11.2020

The German government agreed on Monday to set up 19 locations for medical gear storage in order to avoid the lack of masks and other protective equipment faced by most of the world at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Angela Merkel’s government plans to spend around €1 billion ($1.2 billion) next year creating 19 “national health reserves” around Germany to ensure Europe’s leading economy is better prepared for any upcoming health crisis, Health Minister Jens Spahn said.

“The pandemic has taught us to take more precautions,” he told reporters.

Source: Coronavirus: Germany to create 19 medical storage facilities for future emergencies | News | DW | 30.11.2020