We see the daily COVID-19 numbers and become numb. Many Americans took vacations or simply ventured out in recent weeks, but COVID-19 took no days off. Please listen to the pleas of healthcare workers in this war: wear a mask correctly, stay socially distant, avoid crowds, and frequently wash your hands. Sound familiar?
It’s too bad that some won’t agree that this is the best way to protect ourselves and others, but the reality is especially stunning for those on the medical front lines as copious COVID caseloads continue. Well over 1,000 healthcare workers nationally have died from the novel coronavirus. The continued lack of PPE equipment, the long hours, the daily trauma of dealing with seemingly OK patients who quickly end up intubated, well… it’s asking a lot of these caregivers after 10-months. Frustration levels among the caregivers has rightfully grown. We must keep taking basic precautions, fatigued as we may be of rigid rules.
On average, about 65 firefighters, 158 law enforcement officers, and 308 active-duty American military personnel die annually during active duty. In 2020 alone, at least twice as many healthcare workers perished due to COVID-19 than died in the other three professions combined. Caregivers died doing jobs where they knew there’d be risk… but not this- not all day every day- with little respite over 10-months, including post-work repercussions every single day.
Many medical personnel end their workdays stressed, knowing they can’t or won’t go home- unwilling to risk possibly infecting family members or roommates. Some don’t shower normally, eat with loved ones, or sleep in their own beds- all due to concerns after they’ve left the workplace, which makes their plight unique compared to others who place themselves in harm’s way yet maintain some lifestyle normalcy.
Healthcare workers have seen reduced work hours as medical facilities aren’t seeing normal amounts of non-COVID-related, on-site business. Elective surgeries are put off, revenue is down, and workers lose hours. Ironically, those saving lives are being occasionally ostracized for wearing scrubs (in stores), remain isolated (from loved ones) and see reduced pay (with fewer work hours).
Nip this thing- stay safe, be wary, and tighten your bubble. Don’t let 10-months of responsible effort go to waste for a superfluous gathering or meeting now. The best gift we can provide to overworked, miracle medical workers is to not meet them while they’re on the job in 2021.
Think about it…