Registered nurse Angela Domagalski spoke out about her experience working in the healthcare field during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Domagalski, who began her career in healthcare as a surgical technician, was working as a case manager and service coordinator for QUEST Integration at the start of the pandemic in February 2020.  QUEST Integration is a program administered by the Department of Human Services that provides public funded medical assistance to qualified children and adults in Hawaii.  During her time working for QUEST, Domagalski helped members navigate the Medicaid system to ensure they had access to services and equipment.  

Not long after Covid-19 was declared a public health emergency, Domagalski noticed discordance in the reaction to this emergency and what she saw happening within the local healthcare system.  Although there was no evidence of increased hospitalizations or deaths due to Covid-19, she characterized the response to Covid-19 as emotional and fear based. She described working with patients who refused necessary medical care due to a fear of contracting Covid-19.  She also detailed the irony of travel restrictions, cancellations of elective procedures, and the closures or staff reductions of medical offices which reduced access to medical care during the pandemic.  Other concerns for Domagalski included the disregard for bodily autonomy, the right to refuse treatment, and informed consent.  When she voiced concerns to management, she was told the public health emergency superseded these issues.

As a result of this experience, Domagalski quit her job at QUEST Integration.  She is currently employed at a home healthcare agency.