The champion tennis player who runs the Ifema hospital: “Fear does not contribute anything, it makes you small”

Antonio Zapatero, a health care provider for nearly 4 many years, is the director of the Hospital approved at the IFEMA campus in Madrid in the midst of the coronavirus disaster. At 61 years previous, ToñínAs he’s recognized in the world of tennis, he was a grasp champion of +35 and +50 and 12 occasions by groups (+55, +60 …) with the Membership de Campo Villa de Madrid. He attended AS in certainly one of the few free minutes he has a day.

-How is the marketing campaign going?

Working exhausting, it is a big venture. A number of days in the past they have been warehouses for gala’s and since Saturday morning we’ve got a hospital for 1,500 folks. It’s one thing spectacular. We’ve got obtained round 400 sufferers and we have already got 110 discharges in 4 days. On Sunday we hope to have between 1,000 and 1,100 sufferers.

– At what second did you hear about the appointment?

On Friday they communicated it to me from Well being and on Saturday I used to be already in command. In circumstances like this, you don't have time to suppose issues via, you should act. I’m at the moment head of the inside medication service at the College Hospital of Fuenlabrada, full professor at the Rey Juan Carlos College, president of the Spanish Affiliation of Inside Medication (Facme) and of the Federation of Scientific-Medical Associations of Spain. They trusted me for this case and I hope to reply. This can be everybody's battle.

-How is the strain of being able like this?

We’re docs and, since we studied the race, we all know what we’re uncovered to. Concern does not contribute something, it makes you really feel small. We all the time attempt to do our job with enthusiasm, and clearly we’re not loopy. We’ve got the utmost care, with a masks, gloves, security distance … Sadly, many bathrooms have additionally been contaminated. Individuals have to assist us by not leaving house, the remainder of the work is ours.

– In his youth, he determined to check medication though, in response to what they inform, he was a promising tennis player.

I began enjoying very younger. In 1976 I used to be a part of the junior nationwide group. In the 80s I used to be amongst the high 40 in the Spanish rating whereas combining it with medication. Subsequently, I used to be particular person champion in the classes of +35 and +50 years. By groups, with Membership de Campo Villa de Madrid, we’ve got been twelve occasions champions in several classes (+55, +60 …).

-When do you take time to play tennis?

It’s a part of my remedy, as an obligation that I impose myself. I attempt to play 5 days every week. In my weekly agenda, tennis is essential, I make it relying on these matches, I search for rivals and I depart the whole lot fastened. When this disaster is over, I’ll attempt to return to regular.