"F!": My Grungey Seattle Adventure (With My Besty and With Mudhoney)

8: 'Blinding Sun'

3:37

HOLLY

Matt Lukin has just fainted. I'm alarmed, but I'm not panicking. Since high school, I have been trained to remain calm in situations like these. That's what EMTs have to do. 

First, I search my Cotopaxi for my phone before remembering I left it in the car. Then I place the backpack under Lukin's back so he can breathe easier, and take off his face mask for the same reason. Then I ask the nearest stranger if they will take the time to call an ambulance for me.

They've already dialed when I decide to check Lukin's pulse. It's a little slow; his breath is shallow too. I'm not going to give him mouth to mouth or chest compressions because COVID is still spreading, and I wouldn't be surprised if he has it. It occurs to me now that he probably does. Christ, what did I get myself into?

An ambulance is on its way. I was instructed not to touch Lukin "for my own safety" but it was already too late when the stranger passed that info to me. I thank them for calling 911, they say "of course," and are on their way. I notice that Lukin's baseball cap had fallen off of his head and the sun is now shining down on his face, so I hold the hat over him for shade, fanning it a little every few minutes to keep him cool.

I hear sirens blaring in the distance, loudening as they get nearer. Finally. People are starting to stare and ask me questions, and the sun is beating harshly on my exposed back.

The ambulance has arrived. A paramedic in full COVID-protective gear pushes past me carelessly as if I'm not here. this might be a good time to say that I'm a licensed EMT and to show them my papers, but I don't want to be in anyone's way while they're saving someone's life. Especially Matt Lukin's life. 

After a few quick tests, the crew hurries to load Lukin into the ambulance. His condition must be pretty critical. The paramedic is talking, and I realize whatever she is saying is directed at me when she says, "Ma'am? We're going to need you to back off." I don't respond because I can see that the EMT, who is definitely a rookie, is leaving Lukin on the stretcher in a flat position, which is a big mistake. That's going to make it harder for him to breathe. "Hey!" I yell. I know to put him in "Fowler's position!"

The paramedic looks at me, then at the EMT, who is sheepishly correcting his mistake. I quickly pull out my papers for the paramedic to see. She squints at the laminated documents, which are probably glaring intensely in the sun. "I'm a licensed EMT," I say, then add "in the state of Missouri." The paramedic beckons me to join them in the ambulance, and we're off. 

There's a tense silence between me and the paramedic as she administers a sedative shot into Lukin's vein before performing an endotracheal intubation on him. I realize that I have no idea where we're going, so I ask, "Where is he going to be treated?"

"Harborview." The paramedic sighs. "Medical Center. Do you know where that is? She makes eye contact with me for the first time, and I nod. "I'm Katjana, by the way."

I now see that she is offering me hand sanitizer, which I accept and apply to my hands. "Thanks. I'm Holly."

Katjana nods at me again. "Pleasure to have you in our ambulance today." She delivered that in a dry manner, but I can tell she means it as a joke. "You've been a real help." Now I can't tell whether that was sarcastic or not...

"I'm sorry to butt in," I say.

"No, I mean it." 

There's another awkward silence between us. "Why'd you let me in here?" I ask.

'You seem to know what you're doing' is the answer I'm expecting, but Katjana's reply is very different. "You went against everything we told you to do." What is she talking about? "We said not to touch him, and you did. You checked his pulse, made sure he was breathing. You took off his mask too." 

"Yes, I did." I'm not sure whether I should be ashamed or proud. If I get COVID, it's not like I'll die, but Lukin... never mind. I just want to help him as much as I can since I'm able. 

"You're risking your life to save his." Katjana gestures to Lukin's unconscious body. I cringe at the sight. I hope he'll be okay.

"I mean, I'm an EMT, I'm supposed to do that." I don't get it -- is she trying to make me feel bad about this, or is she scolding me?

"What I'm saying is, thank you."

"Of course, but you guys know what you're doing."

Katjana lowers her voice to a whisper. "He doesn't." She's pointing to the young EMT. "The truth is, we're running low on staff with all the emergency calls for COVID-positive patients like him." Woah there -- how does she know he has COVID? "We need all the help we can get."

"I understand," I say. But I really don't. Is she asking me to volunteer at the hospital? I'm on vacation!

Katjana continues. "We have COVID tests at the hospital. We can get you an accurate test for free." She thinks I need treatment too; is that it?

"Oh no, I'm fine. Really."

"It's the least I can do to repay you. Please."

We're headed to the hospital right now, so I figure, why not?

"Alright. I appreciate it. Thank you, Katjana."

"You can call me Katj. So you know him?" Katj implies, gesturing to Lukin again. 

I don't know whether to validate that or not. I know who he is. I know of him. But there's no way I can explain all this to Katjana right now, so I just say "yes" and then add "kind of."

It seems like a good enough answer for Katj, who nods. "He's gonna be okay. Just... be careful. We're gonna have to send you home right after you get your test. You know why."

Yeah, I'd better isolate myself when I get home -- or, not home, to Rex's place, rather. 

Frick. Rex.