![Debbie Buzzelli-Blount, a respiratory therapist, is recovering from her personal bout with covid-19, ready to emerge with the antibodies that will make her more valuable than ever to help those in need. She is likely to be one of the most uplifting people you will speak with about the pandemic, and about how to stay safe. [Debbie Buzzelli-Blount photo]](https://mountainenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/DebbieBuzelliBlountLiverpool_web-324x274.jpg)
Debbie Buzzelli-Blount, a respiratory therapist, is recovering from her personal bout with covid-19, ready to emerge with the antibodies that will make her more valuable than ever to help those in need. She is likely to be one of the most uplifting people you will speak with about the pandemic, and about how to stay safe. [Debbie Buzzelli-Blount photo]
This can happen to any of us, and probably will to many of us before it is over. Debbie will be there to help you.
By Patric Hedlund, TME
Even with a lingering cough, Debbie Buzzelli-Blount speaks with warmth and enthusiasm about how much she and her husband love their home in Pine Mountain Club. Buzzelli-Blount, 63, is a respiratory therapist who works for four pulmonary physicians in Burbank to help patients who have difficulty breathing.
The lungs are the target for the covid-19 virus. Before it was known what was happening globally, Buzzelli-Blount’s profession put her at the center of the bullseye.
“I work with respiratory patients in a tiny 5- by 5-foot area,” she said. She uses a computer to assess lung capacity for patients with asthma or emphysema, and for those who fly, to help adjust air mixtures for high altitudes.
“People cough all the time. Social distancing wasn’t possible, even if we’d known what was coming.” She explained.
“Some troubling cases came in before we decided to switch to telemed only.” She started to feel bad and went…(please see below to view full stories and photographs)
Photo captions:
Debbie Buzzelli-Blount, a respiratory therapist, is recovering from her personal bout with covid-19, ready to emerge with the antibodies that will make her more valuable than ever to help those in need. She is likely to be one of the most uplifting people you will speak with about the pandemic, and about how to stay safe.
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This is part of the April 10, 2020 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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