The Sun

Sunny days are here again in Newfoundland. They are not a common thing. Perhaps that is something to be grateful for...

The last weeks in the ER have been taxing. Not necessarily because of patient volume, or acuity. But because with the sun, people are throwing caution to the wind. The sheer amount of stupidity we've seen has been mind-boggling. And I don't know whether to be sad or angry at the waste of life I've seen.

Young men on their motorbikes speeding on the highways.

ATV accidents because people ignore their brain buckets.

Near-drownings because a few fail to realise that extremely windy days and canoes and kayaks do not mix.

Cyclists braving the insane roads of St John's meeting accidents because motorists fail to respect their right to be on the road.

People drive too fast, too drunk, too recklessly. They do things that they wouldn't if it weren't for the beautiful day and the clear skies and the dry roads. They speed. They have barbecues - and booze - and they get on their ATVs for fun.

We've seen some pretty awful stuff lately. Young men paralysed from accidents - it's always the men, it seems - others with severed aortas, yet others who die before they even get to the ER. You wonder about their families, their wives and children. It does make me sad. But also angry.

Because it's not as if these people didn't know how to keep themselves safe. But in that moment, I guess, they didn't. Maybe it was a mistake. But the effect is devastating and permanent. I hate standing in the ER knowing what lies ahead for this patient - and not telling them because now is not the time. It isn't the time to tell them they likely won't walk again. That comes with time. That comes with more tests as the patient slowly realises the truth. But I hate standing there and knowing all the same, because I'd like to not know.

Anyway. The sun is out and people are going crazy. I don't miss the dank dreary days so common in Newfoundland. I just wish people would use their brains instead of allowing the sun to addle them...