‘Take this seriously,’ say Northwestern doctors in COVID-19 video

• Link to: Northwestern Now Story

Northwestern Medicine physicians and medical experts on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic want the community to take the burgeoning global health crisis seriously.

Using selfie video messages filmed in their workplaces – in many cases between breaks from helping patients -- the experts urged everyone to stay home if they are feeling sick so as to not overwhelm the hospitals and health care workers. They strongly encouraged those who don’t think they’re at risk for contracting the virus to “step up,” “be responsible” and stop socializing in groups to contain the virus and flatten the curve of contamination.  

“If we start to see numbers like Italy, which we’re creeping toward, we are not going to have enough space in the hospitals and definitely not enough space in the ICUs for the people who are getting really sick from COVID,” said Dr. Seth Trueger, assistant professor of emergency medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine emergency medicine physician, in the video. 

The video includes urgent messages from 10 Northwestern health professionals who are now battling the virus in myriad ways.

Media who want to speak to experts in the video can contact Kristin Samuelson at ksamuelson@northwestern.edu or call 847-769-6596 (mobile) to schedule possible interviews.

More quotes from the video:

“Even though you feel you may not be at risk for contracting the virus, know that there are vulnerable people around you who need you to step up,” said Dr. Louisa Olushoga, instructor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Feinberg and a Northwestern Medicine psychiatrist.  

“Coronavirus disease is deadly serious,” said Dr. Benjamin Singer, assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care at Feinberg and a Northwestern Medicine pulmonologist.