Stepping Deeper…
Healthcare workers are…
brave
compassionate
knowledgeable
overwhelmed
heroes
listening
dedicated
…and we are indebted to them and so very grateful for their service!
Nurses are the frontline healthcare professionals who work across acute care hospitals, long-term care agencies, nursing homes, schools, community, and government healthcare agencies. The multiple roles and functions played by nurses are particularly important during this COVID-19 pandemic.
In tackling this newly identified infectious disease, nurses face a potential risk of infection as well as potential work-related anxiety and mental health problems. During outbreaks of new infectious diseases such as COVID-19, uncertainty, anxiety, and panic spread as the overall situation changes quickly, particularly while the disease is not yet under control.
Nurses are key members of healthcare teams charged to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Moreover, nurses work on the front line, providing direct care to individuals infected with COVID-19.
From: Nursing Perspectives on the Impacts of COVID-19 : Journal of Nursing Research (lww.com)
“How do we effectively care for patients with Covid-19 while protecting ourselves, our other patients, and our communities from further viral spread?” Health care workers on the front lines must not only constantly grapple with this unusual calculus, but also somehow manage the resulting emotional dissonance.
Describing the chaos caused by constantly changing and conflicting guidance, the challenges related to shortages of tests and personal protective equipment (PPE), and the terrifying uncertainty about what’s coming next, Megan Reitz, a Seattle family medicine doctor, said, “It’s like a wave about to break, but you’re not sure which way it’s heading or what’s in the way.”
One theme that emerged from conversations with health care workers on Seattle’s front lines was the need for clear leadership and guidance. Given mounting PPE shortages and the rising death toll from Covid-19 among health care workers globally, unknown scenarios induced terror and necessitated rethinking of routine standards of care. The challenge of taking really good care of patients with the precautions needed to care for themselves was new for healthcare workers
Through even the worst, it was amazing how clearly the workforce’s fundamental humanity shone through. As the pandemic has spread around the world, even as they continue to be plagued by resource constraints that will compromise the healthcare workers’ ability to protect themselves, their patients, and their communities, the professional spirit marches on, unconstrained.
From: Harnessing Our Humanity — How Washington’s Health Care Workers Have Risen to the Pandemic Challenge | NEJM
Web Links:
Women, Caregiving, and COVID-19 | CDC Women’s Health
Universal Health Care: Universal health coverage (UHC) (who.int)
Single Payer health care: Single-Payer Health Insurance: What Is It? (thebalance.com)
Taking Action…
“Doctor’s Day” is March 30: DOCTORS’ DAY – March 30, 2021 | National Today
Send a note of appreciation to your doctors this month and thank them for their tireless work this past year!
COVID-19 Patients Inspiring Messages to Doctors (bestmessage.org)
As you might have experienced, the elastic on masks can make your ears sore after wearing it for many hours. In fact many of our doctors, nurses, and other health care workers need to wear it for more than 12 hours straight. Here is an innovative pattern to help ease the pain.
You can make them with your tiny leftover scraps and some buttons.
DIY Ear Saver for Face Mask (Easy Sewing Project) – Sew Crafty Me
And some more patterns:
Ear Savers DIY For Face Mask | Easy Peasy Creative Ideas (theseamanmom.com)
How to Sew an Ear Saver for an Elastic Face Mask – Sweet Red Poppy
And even one to crochet: Ravelry: Mask Mates Ear Savers pattern by Sarah Berens
Meet healthcare workers that have joined this Facebook group and read their stories. You can “adopt” someone and gift them with something from their Amazon wish list:
Facebook page: Adopt a Healthcare Worker | Facebook
Are you a healthcare worker? Consider joining the group and having people “adopt” you!
Search for other Facebook groups that are providing similar communities.
Signs of Hope…
Health care workers continue to find ways to increase access to care. “Health care workers and especially nurses are often the only link to providing care to low income and isolated areas. They account for one half of the global health care workforce.” (Bumalog, I., 2020)
Health care workers continue to observe and report the characteristics and effects of the Covid-19 virus. “They provide health officials, policy makers and the general public with invaluable guidance, and provide awareness of how public threats affect our health and livelihoods.” (Polanica, A & Forrat, Y, 2020)
References:
Bumalog, I., (2020). Healing hope what health care workers deliver provide during extraordinary.
Hardship. Journal of Global Health. United Nations Foundation. Vol 16.
Polanica, A. & Forray, Y. (2020) Covid-19 has inspired innovation. Canadian Journal of Public
Health. Vol 11.
Wakam, G. & Montgomery, J. (2020). Not dying alone, modern compassionate care in the
Covid-19 pandemic. New England Journal of Medicine. Vol 04/14/2020.
Special thanks to Linda Loomis for researching this social justice issue
Each station was researched by one or more members of our church community to help provide the detailed information that has been presented. Are you interested in this social justice issue? Do you have additional information or action items that you would like to share? If so, email us at newpaltzumc@gmail.com. These web pages are a dynamic, active work in progress, just like the people of our community!
