I just wanted to post about my hospital stay experience currently since many here dont work around healthcare and often times it is hard to see what is really happening in the hospitals. I am in the south for a reference point since obviously some states would likely have far different policies.

Background: My wife and I are both unvaxxed and were 30 weeks pregnant when this adventure started I have been at the hospital about 2 weeks now. My wifes water broke and we were on bed rest for a week before she got an infection she couldnt shake and they made the decision to deliver via C section at 31 weeks and 2 days (original due date Feb 25th). Mom is doing much better but still battling infection so still in hospital and baby is healthy as a horse born at 4lb 3oz (big for 31 weeks) rocking in the chair on my chest as i type this but still in nicu till he can bottle/breastfeed on his own.

Observations: 1: people wear masks but it isnt really taken as seriously as you would think. They have even let me take it off some while spending time with my little one in nicu. Funny how he can lay on my chest with the worlds deadliest virus huh?

2: they changed the covid policy yesterday so that no one can visit the baby except mom and I. Until yesterday anyone can visit as long as it was one at a time with a parent present. Only me and one other can visit my wife the duration of her stay, no more rotating visitors allowed. My 9 year old is not allowed to visit either way because he isnt 16 which is not cool but probably common for nicu :( Apparently "covid is on the rise" thanks to nomnomnicron or whatever the virus of the day is.

3: nicu nurse said the past year or so they have seen closer to 75 babies at a time instead of around 60. Are more people having babies because of covid boredom or could vax be increasing likelihood of preemies? Regional hospital so it isnt just our city, many things could possibly account for this but it seemed significant to her.

4: nicu nurse said they are not happy with the new changes to visitor policy themselves. Even the ones who are actually worried about covid. They have families too after all and some have grandkids and kids on the way.

5: overall this wing of the hospital does not seem panicked by covid and i have not heard anyone overly concerned nor any rumours about overcrowding.

6: They tested my wife once for covid and flu and she was negative and it has not been mentioned again. Amazingly they never required me to get tested or even required a temperature check...also stunning since we are being ravaged by a deadly virus.

7: the nurses overall have been great and caring to us and to baby. No clue how many are vaxxed here but no one has been pushy about anything or preachy about vax.

8: they have not pushed the vax at all other than on initial check in when they asked if mom was vaxxed. Never asked me if i wanted it or anything. They said no vaccines are given without consent except RSV and that is only if the lung specialist doctor orders it for baby (this is not common, only for preemies or babies with respiratory issues at birth). They did mention hep b vax and gave us a flyer for it but he is too young and i told them ill pass on signing that waiver and they werent bothered by that at all.

9: feel free to ask questions about anything i did not address and i will do my best to answer. Long story short in my area they dont seem to be too worried about anything except the from an admin/policy standpoint.