Doctors and nurses chose a profession to care for patients, treat and prevent illness.
Most never imagined that they would be expected to run into a raging pandemic, as most of us run away from it.
With more data tracking the course and acceleration of COVID-19 transmission, global public health experts believe the virus is nowhere near slowing down in the U.S. There is a way that all of us can support them and make a difference. Here are five important and meaningful ways that we can help our front line heroes, right now.
- Tell the President and Congress to increase the amount of protective equipment for doctors and nurses, and staff now. According to the American Nurses Association, nurses are being forced to take such drastic measures as reusing masks or making their own from available materials in their facilities – creating unsafe conditions for both nurses and their patients. Nurses, who must maintain close contact to care for infected patients, are on the frontlines and must have the equipment needed to safely do their job. Tell your senator here.
- Stay home. If you are able, one of the most critical things you can do is stay home and practice social distancing. If you’re still unclear on why that’s important, read what flattening the curve means for healthcare workers.
- Donate what supplies are available. If you have any actual supplies — such as gloves, surgical masks, or hand sanitizer — please call your local healthcare facilities to see if they could use a donation. If not, ask them what you can donate instead.
- Help them with childcare and make a meal. Nurses, doctors and healthcare workers are parents too. While most people can stay home with their kids during this pandemic — hospital-based professionals can’t. If you are not yet in a shelter in place community offer to help watch their kids, Or make a few meals for dinner.
- Thank them. Give doctors, nurses and healthcare staff a shout out when you see them and on social media. On a “normal” day caring for sick patients during a 10- or 12-hour shift is physically and mentally demanding. Today exhausting and scary. Tell them how much you care and appreciate all they are doing to save lives.
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