"Protective equipment raises a lot of questions"

At the Academic Hospital in Uppsala, you are now looking at the most severely affected region of Stockholm and preparing as best you can for what is to come.

"In recent days, the burden has increased both in intensive care and in other departments that receive positive covid-19 patients," says Sofia Lindström, intensive care nurse and head safety representative.

She now has the most questions about the protective equipment. Especially that many work with short-sleeved coats and aprons at the same time as the Public Health Authority recommends long-sleeved.

- I can't say that there is less protection, but right now the guidelines we have are not in line with how we actually work. Our members must feel secure and the decisions must be based on evidence and not on material shortages, ”she says.

So far, the protective equipment needed for the work has been available, but without stock there is only a day's margin, she points out.

- It's very short-term. I was told from the laser lab in Enköping that they had 36 bottles of hand spirit. It may sound like a lot, but in these times when we are careful about basic hygiene practices, a lot of booze goes on. Should there not be a delivery one day then it is disaster situation. The hand sprite is a and o, says Sofia Lindström.

Most of the staff are not worried for their own sake, but to spread the infection to risk groups.

Sofia Lindström is home with mild respiratory symptoms after caring for covid-19 patients this weekend.

- I have asked my employer about staff sampling so that I do not have to be home these two days of symptom-free. Because if I feel good in the body but am a little hes then I could work and relieve my colleagues. As long as it's not covid-19, she says.