Behind the Mask: ER Doctor's COVID-19 Battle

Dr. Angelo Mascia is a 31-year-old emergency room doctor at a level-one adult trauma center in New York City's South Bronx. By day, he saves lives as part of his night shift team; by night, he's a co-founder and leader of the Westchester Disc Golf Enthusiasts (WeDGE) club.

When we spoke to Dr. Mascia on April 13, just before the COVID-19 pandemic reached its peak in New York City, he was still working 12-hour shifts, often with limited rest and little time for himself outside of work. The situation has only become more dire since then, but Dr. Mascia's dedication to his job remains unwavering.

"Going to work is absolutely frightening," he admitted during our conversation. "Even though you're protected with equipment, mistakes can happen. Disease can linger on surfaces and areas around the hospital, and it's easy to infect yourself."

Despite the risks, Dr. Mascia's team has been working tirelessly to care for patients affected by COVID-19. The hospital where he works has opened up non-patient areas to accommodate more patients, and capacity has been expanded greatly. However, the sheer number of critically ill patients has put a significant strain on resources.

"It's mind-boggling," Dr. Mascia said. "The acuity, the severity of the illnesses we see, is unlike anything I've experienced before. People come in here sicker than what we were used to seeing before COVID-19."

When asked about his feelings on hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for COVID-19, Dr. Mascia was cautious. "The data for this drug are not sufficient yet," he said. "It's going to take a while before good science can catch up and provide us with adequate answers."

Dr. Mascia also spoke about the emotional toll of working in an ER during a pandemic. "Relaying bad news over the phone and not having family members with patients when they pass away is very hard," he admitted.

As for his role in WeDGE, Dr. Mascia was proud to share that the club had taken proactive steps to shut down operations in response to the pandemic. "We were one of the first clubs to cancel leagues and events," he said. "I'm glad we did it, because it's not worth risking someone's life for a game."

When asked about his thoughts on people who continue to play disc golf despite warnings, Dr. Mascia was firm. "The disease is too dangerous, too transmissible, and there are too many unknown variables," he said. "We need to stop for the common good."

As we concluded our conversation, Dr. Mascia expressed his gratitude for the support of the disc golf community during this challenging time. "Thank you for your service in this pandemic, Angelo," I said on behalf of all of us at DiscGolfer Magazine and disc golfers everywhere.

Dr. Mascia's story is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by healthcare workers like him, who put their lives on the line every day to care for others. As we wait for social distancing measures to ease and life to return to normal, let us remember Dr. Mascia's words: "Stay healthy, people. Skip the course."

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/saving-lives-living