Alex George might have been introduced to our TV screens in the glorious summer of 2018 as a contestant on Love Island. But since leaving the show - thanks to being on a zero hours contract - Alex has managed to continue working at theA&E department in University Hospital Lewisham, South East London.
As the coronavirus pandemic worsens, the reality star/doctor has found himself splitting his time between working in A&E and fielding questions about the virus on TV. Here, he discusses what it’s like to be a part of the NHS during these unprecedented times.
How often are you working in A&E?
I'm putting in shifts where they need support. So I'm doing tomorrow, Wednesday and potentially Friday as well this week. We do 11 hour shifts. I'm trying to balance the fact that I'm trying to be on the A&E frontline, but also trying to push the messaging because I feel a sense of social responsibility to get as much information out as I can.
You hear these reports about people being out this weekend and the problem is that Brits are really good at pulling together, but sometimes you can smell the smoke, but you can't see the fire. Some people think it's not going to affect me, or ask it that bad... But if you look in the in majors and resuscitation and ICU departments around the country, it’s getting busy. There are members of society who are really quite unwell with it.
How is working on A&E like at the moment?
It's getting busier and busier. In the minors departments, it’s thankfully not too bad. The public are listening to us when we say please don't come in for things that can wait because we are under such pressure - and if it wasn't for that we would be in trouble.
Then we are having a percentage of people who have the illness and are requiring ventilation, intubation and intensive care beds. So I think Lewisham now is getting very busy. A lot of our intensive care beds are taken up by patients with coronavirus. So yeah, we are now starting to feel the effects.
What’s the atmosphere like in the NHS?
People's chins are up, you work in the NHS because you want to be there and help in moments like this. We're really just rolling our sleeves up and getting on with it. But we're going to see it peak in next few months, so to keep it going is going to be difficult. And if we see huge spikes in the numbers of people coming in with coronavirus, we put so much pressure on the system and also on morale as well. So that's why it's so important that people respect the social distancing and isolation policies - because ultimately, it helps save the NHS, taking pressure off services and saving lives, of course.
Do you - and your colleagues - feel adequately protected from catching coronavirus while you're working?
I know there's been a lot of concerns raised by certain staff around the country that worry about the protective equipment - and it is absolutely vital that we make sure frontline staff have the necessary protective equipment. At the end of the day if we're off sick, we're not able to look after the patients that come into the hospital. I know the NHS is doing everything it can and the government is trying its best to support us. It's just got to be an 110% effort by everyone to make sure we've got the equipment, we need enough beds and staff. And the protection.
There are reports on social media of food not being available in supermarkets for NHS staff - even sometimes during priority slots for NHS workers - what are your thoughts on that?
Thank you so much to any supermarkets who are supporting slots for the elderly and also for NHS staff. It's really, really important, those people who are you know, pretending to do that and go in and do you take advantage of that - please don't because at the end of the day, the reason that slot exists is because workers can't get there, and at other times they might not be able to get food. And I'm hearing stories of people going to the shops and having no food available to buy, which is awful, after a long shift, and many have a family as well. So please do respect those timings.
Your tweet that NHS workers shouldn't have to pay for parking yesterday went viral...
It's something I've been saying for a long time. It costs staff a lot of money, sometimes it's 15 quid plus a day to park your own car. That can't be right. We're working at unsociable hours, and leaving at three or four in the morning. It's not safe. And I know people who have been mugged walking get to their car which is parked away from the hospital. I made a tweet last night and it just went viral, I guess I didn't really expect such a backing. I mean, I saw Deborah Meaden retweeted and other people that were behind the MPs and stuff. So it's good to see that. And if people want to start petitioning, then why not - we'll see how it goes. I know that some hospitals have taken action, but it certainly isn't nationwide. So that's something that really has to change.
What else do you think can change for NHS staff?
I think, off the top of my head, it actually can be really, really difficult to get hold of food during shifts. Is there a way that businesses - or even hospitals - can support their staff and organise some form of food, catering, or takeout services - it is really difficult.
What are the most dangerous myths you have seen circulating about coronavirus?
I've seen a lot of things about things you can supposedly do to prevent catching it, like drinking garlic water, unfortunately you know there are a lot of different nutritional benefits to foods, but they can't protect you against coronavirus so I'm worried to see people saying things like that. I've also seen some things about washing your hands with bleach, chemicals that you should not use your skin. I've seen people saying that a really, really hot bath will kill the coronavirus off your skin. And you're actually much more likely to cause burns. That's why it's so important to use good source of information, like the Public Health England website, the government websites, and avoid any kind of risky social media kind of articles that you see on these sites that are not ready in any way validated or monitored because that could give you potentially dangerous misleading advice.
How can people look after their mental health?
I mean the really important top three things I think to me is... Number one: exercise is so important. Going to the gym might not be possible, but doing bite sized 15 - 20 minute workouts workouts in the kitchen at home body workout is so important for your body and mind. Secondly, routine is so important. You know we've kind of had our structures and our daily routine pulled from underneath our feet. So try and create your routine. You know a time for breakfast, time for lunchtime. It's so important. Humans are designed to have routine. Thirdly, nutrition. Try and eat healthily as best as you can.
What can people do if they're worried and showing symptoms?
If you have a high temperature or persistent cough, isolate yourself. If you're in doubt, just self isolate, if you think I don't feel right, I've got a sore throat, I feel a bit hot and cold don't feel right. Just don't take risks. Self isolate, be confident. If you're living alone, seven days, self isolation from when the circumstances start, but if you don't, then everyone in that house should isolate for 14 days.
If you think 'I've got symptoms, but I'm not coping at home. I've got an underlying illness or I'm just really feeling unwell', then call the NHS 111 service. They'll talk about your symptoms and make a decision to see if you need hospital help and admission and that'll be arranged so that's the main thing, if you are worried and you're not getting better.
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