COVID-19 Resources

My name is Dr. Neil Gokal. I'm a family physician in southern Nevada, where I live with my family and have practiced since I completed my training. The pandemic year behind us will forever be ingrained in my soul. The trials and tribulations were greater than great, and out of them we worked together for endless days and nights to ensure that we could still triumph.

Unfortunately, for so many, last year brought unexpected rapid and painful loss. And this has not yet changed. What has changed is our ability to make a difference. I want to talk to you today about the COVID vaccine. I can tell you from the best of data and from walking through the halls of our hospitals and clinics that this is now a pandemic of the unvaccinated. For those who recover from initial infection, we continue to see them struggle with fatigue, breathing, and other symptoms for many months later, leaving them debilitated.

At some stages in your life, you had to consult with your physician. Perhaps at the birth of a child, to enter University, play on a sports team, travel and more. Each and every one of these were pivotal moments in your life, and you trusted your primary care providers with the guidance they provided you. You trusted us then, and I ask you to trust us now. That is why we are here. No one knows or has endured more with COVID than each of these physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who continue to battle on the front lines to keep our communities safe.

When I reflect on the great losses in such a short time, I look down at the ring on my finger. It was given to me by a very dear friend and family member. Little did I know that when it was gifted, I would never see or speak to him again. When he was diagnosed with COVID, we were only able to communicate by text, except on Christmas day when we did a family video call. That was the last time we saw him. He died on the early morning of December 31 after a painful battle against COVID.

Like my family and I, there are so many who sadly share in this story only hoping, wishing that it could have been different. For so many of us, it cannot be different and indeed will never be the same. But in their memories and for our future, for you and for me, we have a choice and a chance to make things different.

Talk to your provider today about all of your COVID questions so that you can get answers and make the right decision. Do not let inaccurate information lead you astray. As a physician, son, husband, brother, and friend, the scariest thing about the vaccine is not getting it.