"I used to be able to go out into the street freely, and now -- you have to stay inside because of la migra." #inclinic

#inclinic

"They went up and down my block knocking on doors."

#inclinic

"Are you working these days?"

"Not really. There's the snow, and sometimes I go to the Home Depot to get work, but --"

"They're capturing..."

"They're grabbing people there, yeah. So I'm working part time in a restaurant."

#inclinic

"I think I'm going back to my home country if I can't find work by the end of the month. My father is old and sick. I'm worried about being deported by la migra."

"I'm sorry."

If he weren't Latino, I'd call his gesture now a Gallic shrug.

#inclinic

"About a month ago he had a half-hour episode of anterior chest pain after he saw ICE near the Home Depot. It was nonexertional."

#inclinic
"Yes, I know a lot of people who were taken. Someone just next door. A man of 80. They didn't let him take his medications along with him. So many people."

#inclinic

"luchando. una batalla. nos estan persiguiendo. no es igual."

#inclinic

"¿Eres israelita?"

#inclinic

"when does your anxiety act up?"

"when I have to stand in line at the food bank"

#inclinic

"I'm worried about my food stamps, I get $70 a month, and they're going to cut it off."

Just to get down what happened today #inclinic

In the morning, a colleague asked what would happen if they were abducted, who they should call and how we should respond

#inclinic

"I'm living with my son, he used to be working three days a week but now just one, he's scared to leave the house.

*another patient is weeping*
(because some people are trying to scam him, and he's scared)

*another patient shows me a bill*
(From Hopkins, which keeps dunning penniless immigrants for thousands of dollars)

#inclinic, #inclinic, #intheUSA, and #fuckICE

Then, later, #inclinic for real:

*patient is weeping*
(because, of course, her kids are in another country and she can't get to them)

#inclinic today --

Actually, first it was on the way to clinic. The nice lady at the bodega on the corner down the street from Esperanza, she knows I'm a doc there,

#inclinic
"I want to know if there's any problem continuing to get my medicines here."
"Sure, why would there be a problem?"
"In case you are no longer able to see me."
"Why wouldn't -- oh...."

In 2025, I would like less to be written about stupid rich people and more written, and done, about the struggles of poor people, which can be ameliorated if those stupid rich people are taxed more.

#inclinic #mypatientsneedmedicine

#inclinic
The Spanish speaking patient turns back to me in the hallway after I escort them from the room to checkout.
"You know, I love Israel and the people of Israel."
"That's great."
"I read -- well, not the Torah, but the Bible. And they are almost the same."
"Sure! Thanks."