May 19, 2020
By Melanie Fallas
Staff Writer
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers around the world are currently enduring 12 to 16-hour shifts with limited resources and chaos surrounding them.
According to the New York Times, healthcare workers are among the most vulnerable groups during this pandemic due to their proximity to infected patients. The situation is made even worse due to the shortage of personal protective equipment, which includes goggles or disposable face shields, respirators, gowns, gloves and boot covers.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that hospitals across the country are experiencing shortages of PPE and that “fear and uncertainty were taking an emotional toll on staff, both professionally and personally.”
These shortages are in part due to ordinary citizens taking extreme measures and hoarding medical supplies and equipment, such as the Brooklyn man whom authorities arrested for possessing a million N95 respirator masks, gloves, gowns and other supplies.
The indispensable individuals who work with COVID-19 patients often go days and even weeks without seeing their own families in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading the highly contagious virus to their loved ones.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on April 14 that an estimate of 9,200 healthcare professionals had contracted the coronavirus in the United States as of April 9 and that 27 of them had died from the disease. Colleagues of these 27 souls show great courage and humanity by still continuing to show up at their jobs and working despite the grief and fear that likely consumes them every second of every day while in the hospitals.
The agency also mentioned that the statistics were most likely higher than the numbers reported due to inconsistencies in data gathering and lack of information during the outbreak, according to CNN.
The indispensable individuals who work with COVID-19 patients often go days and even weeks without seeing their own families in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading the highly contagious virus to their loved ones.
According to azcental, which is part of the USA Today Network, nurses on the front lines of the pandemic are seeking out temporary places to stay or isolating themselves from their loved ones in different rooms within their homes. Similarly, ABC News reported that emergency medical service workers in New York were sleeping in their cars because they were afraid they would spread the coronavirus to their family members.
It is unimaginable to think about the emotional toll these events are placing on those in the medical field professions. Therefore, it is more important than ever for individuals to show their appreciation for these sacrifices.
Photos of doctors and nurses with bruised faces due to wearing PPE for too long are now circling the internet. Along with these images, there are photos of medical staff holding signs with the phrase, “We stayed at work for you. You stay at home for us.”
There are multiple ways the public can assist these courageous humans such as staying home and practicing social distancing, washing their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water and even creating homemade masks to deliver to local hospitals.
It is crucial that individuals stay home and follow the authorities’ instructions during this unprecedented time because, not only will that help to flatten the curve, but it will bring nurses and doctors one step closer to returning back to their normal lives as well as their families. These real-life superheroes are sacrificing so much, so we as a community must show our support and continue doing our part.
