Many of my blog readers seemed to be surprised that roommates aren't supposed to chat and make the most of the time we have together. It didn't seem particularly odd to me but that's probably because I had already been hospitalized in this hospital for a week last year and it was the same thing.
TEN years ago I was in the hospital (a different hospital) for a week for surgery from a knee injury and at that time I remember all of us in our room had our curtains pushed aside and we chatted and shared snacks and did origami together. I even was teaching one lady to do patchwork or at least to get a start on sewing pieces together. It was a very cheerful time with lots of flowers and edibles that visitors would bring and we would all get involved with chatting with each other's visitors also!
Last October I came in to the hospital during Covid and there were so many precautions even before they would allow me to be seen by a doctor. Taking my temperature everyday for 10 days before my appointment, of course wearing a mask, and Tetsu had to follow the same precautions just because he was accompanying me. And once in the room I had very little contact with my roommates.
This time around, once admitted and assigned to a quad room, the curtains were pulled tight again and we are required to wear masks when out of the room. No visitors are allowed on the ward at all and the amount of talking to each other has been limited. No visitors allowed means no flowers and no snacking. Patients also are not allowed OFF the ward, so though there are convenience stores and a Starbucks on the first floor, we are not allowed to visit.
Some of the patients have family members pick up and bring back laundry (most of us wear our own pajamas though there was an option to use hospital pajamas that would be laundered) but as I live an hour away from the hospital, I told Tetsu that I was managing fine with the pay washing machine and dryer in the ward. Tetsu insisted he didn't mind the trip, but if we couldn't even talk with each other (a wave from 20 meters away) I declined his offer...
In front of the elevators there is a table with two bottles of sanitizing gel (there is also a bottle in front of all rooms) and lots of signs saying DO NOT ENTER. A call button is on the table so that family who are delivering laundry can call the nurse to come and pick it up and take it to the patient. And if a family member plans to come with laundry they have to show proof of a normal temperature for the past 10 days and get clearance at the entrance to the hospital. Patients are kept very isolated and protected!
So that is why roommates are not supposed to socialize. Japan is still very concerned with a resurgence of Covid and the nurses not only wear masks but also face shields. Life is not as colorful as when visitors were coming in and out during visiting hours (non-existent now), but it is definitely quieter and I guess that's the purpose for patients to be in the hospital. To rest, recuperate and recover.
I must admit that when I'm poorly, I'm disinclined to socialize, so it may even be a good thing, but for people who are friendly and talkative, it must be very hard.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Japan is taking the virus much more seriously than the US. I have a niece who has been in and out of the hospital all year, I have visited her several times you have free access to all in the hospital. At the front desk they ask who you are visiting and then they give you a visitors badge then you go just about anywhere in the hospital you wish. We visit in her room - give hugs, bring flowers and snacks. We stay and visit for about an hour each visit - no one even asks if you have a temperature or to please sanitize your hands - I guess they assume if you are sick you will stay away.
ReplyDeleteVisitors have been allowed in the hospitals here for over a year but it is just a few months since the mask mandate was dropped and people were no longer screened before being allowed to enter the hospitals or health facilities. What surprises me is how long you are able to remain in the hospital. My husband had knee replacement surgery and was to go home the next day.
ReplyDeleteStill praying for your recovery, Tanya! I have to tell you, my son is learning Japanese, and he gets a subscription box for Japanese snacks - every month, he gets a box of specialty snacks from a region in Japan. This month was Nikko! How fun is that! I find it rather strange that Japan is still following such strict rules for covid, I'm afraid I'd be a bit of a rebel and start a sing-a-long with my fellow patients, lol. I'd find it maddening to know there were people in the room and not be able to chat with them.
ReplyDelete