As I started writing this week’s article, I saw on the news where a Giant worker in Maryland lost her life to coronavirus. She was 27 years old. During the interview, her mother said crying, “She loved her job doing whatever they needed her to do to help people.”
Apparently, her mother tried to convince her to stay home. The daughter responded, “But mommy I need to work and help people,” and she went to work anyway.
One day, the daughter started with a cough and a fever of 104, then she suddenly collapsed in the parking lot. She was rushed to the hospital and put on a ventilator. While there, she cried out to her mother, “Mommy, I can hardly breathe.” A short time later, she died.
I began thinking about all the people who are keeping things going for us during this covid-19 pandemic. They have been sacrificing despite their fears and the danger to themselves.
I thought about the things being provided for us: access to food, water, gas and transportation. In addition, we have access to police and fire protection, and last but certainly not least, the health services being provided by all the frontline workers and health professionals. Things we probably, at some point, have taken for granted.
The questions:
-
- What would we do without them?
- Where would we be?
- What would our lives look like?
It’s frightening to think about the chaos our lives would be in, but thankfully, these workers have been there for us.
Tragically, lives have been lost and we mourn for each of them.
As of this writing, there have been 21,418 deaths in the United States as reported on CNN.
As tragic as that is, we must give a special tribute to all the lives saved.
Our frontline health workers have stepped up with compassion and commitment to their jobs and patients to save as many lives as they can.
Unfortunately, they have put their health and lives on the line for the sake of public health, in most cases, neglecting their own families; they do it because they care.
Sadly, some healthcare workers have tested positive in the line of duty.
Per an article on nbcnews.com, The Department of Health confirmed approximately 1 in 5 diagnosed cases were health workers…
Their stories of struggle have been intense, mentally and physically.
For instance, I saw one nurse on the news in a New York hospital with tears streaming down her face. Body shaking. Her words were strained. While walking through the emergency room, she showed bodies lined up like in a morgue. Some barely alive on respirators. Some dead waiting to be removed. She murmured as her tears got thicker, “This is not what I signed up for. The death. The fear. The uncertainty. Not having adequate equipment and supplies. This is not right.” The worst part is she couldn’t even go home to her family.
Still, the next day, she showed up for work anyway.
So many healthcare workers are being pushed to the brink with stress at an all-time high. They are witnessing death–upon–death.
If we think about it, no one was made to experience such devastation and loss of life as they have witnessed.
Their hearts are heavy. Their minds are on overload.
Yet, they can’t release their anxiety because they have to keep it together and do their jobs to save “OUR” lives.
They have worked through fear, pain, exhaustion, chaos, family separation, stress, and quarantine directives in an effort to protect and help the sick.
With that being said, every person working on our behalf should be recognized and acknowledged for doing an outstanding job. I want you to know I appreciate you and all you are doing.
So, this post is simply to publicly thank those who have made the sacrifice to provide for us during these uncertain times.
Without further ado, I say:
Thank You!
~ doctors
~ nurses
~ hospital employees
~ food service workers
~ supermarket workers
~ bus drivers
~ police officers
~ emergency medical workers
~ essential workers
~ any other person giving of themselves at this crucial time including volunteers
Thank you all for your courage, commitment, and your relentless effort to be a part of the solution and not the problem.
With that in mind, I send out a plea to all those on lockdown. Let’s be responsible. Here are 7 things we can do to help our frontline workers:
-
- Stay home unless you absolutely have to go out
- Practice social distancing (6 ft) when you do go out
- Wash and sanitize your hands (20 seconds)
- Wear a mask when around people
- Wear gloves (change after each use)
- Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough
- Essential workers, stay home if you are sick
Remember, everyone working on the frontlines want to make it home to their families too.
Let’s do our part, so we can get through this, to be ready for the next phase of our life after the Coronavirus epidemic of 2020.
The bottom line is to be thoughtful, careful, and considerate so we can all make it out of this alive.
If you are in agreement with me, let’s share this to spread the love and show them how much we appreciate them. Thank you.
I pray Light and Love!
Debbie
3womenvoices.wordpress.com 