Healthcare workers

Dawsonsmom

Has anyone else noticed all the raw faces of healthcare workers, particularly in NYC, Chicago and Detroit? The masks seem to be creating yet another worry/challenge for them. They will be lucky to only get a staph infection.

Bengal

I've only worn a mask for short periods of time in doctor's office or to quickly go into a store or pharmacy and it irritated my skin. Cannot imagine what wearing one all day everyday would do.

GregP_WN

I think that look on their face is from exhaustion and working too many hours. There was a doctor on 60 minutes tonight. They showed him walking out of the ER and sitting down and putting his face in his hands and just sitting. You could see in his face that this is taking its toll on him.

Dawsonsmom

I so agree, Greg. Not only are they exhausted, but grieving, angry, fearful, sad....many surely have Acute Trauma Syndrome and will ultimately have PTSD.

PaulineJ

Hard enough being a nurse 8 hours a day,then 12 hours,now this .

CASSIEME1

hopefully they will see our worth through out the country.they say raise minimum wages to $15/ double but everybody else stay the same. minimal wage earners and welfare receptions receive decreased housing, food stamps, daycare vouchers, get earned income credit yet hospital workers have not gotten a cost of living raise in over 15 years or across the board raises..i have not gotten a dollar a year raise for the 32 years of being in the healthcare field. regardless of the crises we are required to give compassionate care to all our lives are trampled upon for the care of others, our families are second to our jobs yet God is and always has been #1 in my life. I know no other line of work or profession.

Throatless

@Cassieme1, first, thank you for your service to mankind as a caregiver. Second, I would bet that after this is over those things will begin to change. Or at least they certainly should. What would happen if we flipped a magic switch and all of the nurses and caregivers were gone? Then we would know their value.

GregP_WN

@Cassieme1, I second the thank you for your commitment to health care. As we all know, you don't miss something until it's gone. Like your lights, water, gas, phone, etc. Like throatless said, let all of the nurses disappear and everyone would see what they are worth.

Horselady46

I can't imagine what all the health care workers are going through at this time. They are saints and do hope things change for them when this is all over.

CASSIEME1

yes we grieve it hurts to see people dying and when you've done all you can and it's not enough. the empathy and sympathy for the patient and their families. I never thought about PTSD.as a factor in my nursing journey.
you all are very welcome. have you guys ever thought about the amount of money that football and basketball players make verses nurses.

BuckeyeShelby

A lot of folks who protect us don't get paid what they deserve. Nurses, aides, janitorial staff in hospitals, police, fire, EMTs. And many more I'm missing. Heck, I'm thanking grocery store workers and those who are still providing carryout/delivery from restaurants. Just for being there. And that is NOT snide. I'm truly grateful to them.

CASSIEME1

buckeyeshelby,
true, this pandemic shows us how valuable people are.

ChildOfGod4570

Now the thought of actors and athletes and politicians getting filthy rich beyond what would be a normal wage makes me sick when the real front line workers are not only putting their lives at risk taking care of us, but they're getting paid peanuts for it. I can't imagine what they're all going through. Sure we're all going bonkers without our pools or gyms and lament we can't hug or have fun right now; and we're climbing the walls wanting to know when we can come out. Quarantine can drive us crazy under any circumstance, but at least we're all safe at home and not exposed to all the heartache, sickness, and even rudeness out there. I honestly think the front line workers are going above and beyond the call of duty, and God will give them a fine reward in Heaven no matter if the government gives them that well deserved pay raise here on Earth. Thank you to all you front line workers! You endure so much so we can hunker down comfortably while in this stay at home status. HUGS and God bless.

PaulineJ

No one has come her whatsoever.

omaalyce

Long read-sorry: Unfortunately the N95 and other masks they wear are made so they are very snug against their faces. Our daughter is a physical therapist and she told me last week that she was looking for a good cream to help combat the chafing on her face. They can cause bruising on their faces and behind their ears. So their are various ways they are combating the ear bruising-paperclips to gather the ear bands so they ride in a persons hair and not behind their ears is just one way I have seen.. There is a young boy that has created a piece for the back of these masks to help with that. Hopefully he can get a patent and these can be developed on a larger scale.

My daughter works in an retirement home for nuns and priests so she is essential because they must move even if it is with her help. She told me it's so hard as many are quite elderly and they are confused as to why they can't leave their rooms. She has had 2 patients pass away naturally but no one could be there from their families and they will have to stay in their temporary morgue until this is over. It really gives you perspective on what these workers are going through.

I read where Allbirds shoes had a promotion to give a pair of shoes free to someone for a pair bought. We assume all of these wonderful people have good shoes-well, for 8 hour shifts maybe they do but they are working longer hours than ever and to be honest they can't always afford good shoes. Something we take for granted and don't even think about. And yes, I did buy two pair, one for my daughter and one for a young nurse I know and received a note saying thank you from Allbirds and that $1 dollars worth of shoes had been gifted to workers. I do know there are other companies doing just as many great things but we all know it is not enough-these workers,as mentioned above, will have so much to deal with when this is over. My hope is that we are all there for them when this is over as they have been for us.

Yesterday I had to call the Infectious Disease Clinic here locally and learned that all the doctors are at the hospital and I could not be seen. Since I was sure I had cellulitis, I contacted one of my oncologists and it was decided after much discussion I was to stay home and take the antibiotics the Infectious Disease Clinic gave me when I had my last cellulitis flare up. So, that is what I am doing but I have to tell you I would have like to have been seen as the original instructions said. It makes you realize how much we take these amazing people for granted.

I love all of your answers and I wish you all well. Heck, we know we can do this, look at Greg, look at the many others here and what we have all been through-we've got this. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

fiddler

ChildOfGod4570 ... speaking of getting rich ... all the research is making SHAREHOLDERS rich, maybe too Bill & Melinda Gates (they're tied in with Monsanto).

Besides that, let's calm down and look at the demographics - NYC: 86% of deaths are male over the age of 60, African-American or Latino, underlying diabetes and/or hypertension, poverty, and pretty much from 1 hospital, probably a county hospital like Cook County Hospital in Chicago (you don't wanna go there, believe me).

In my county, a whopping total of 5 deaths - all from one retirement home, 3 over 70 yrs of age, 1 over 40, 1 over 50. We're peaking in 2 weeks. Where's the pandemic????

Clear up poverty and we won't have this, just sayin'

omaalyce

Sorry I just realized I said the incorrect monetary amount for the Allbird shoes in my above post and I don't know how to edit my answer. Over $1 million dollars of shoes have been and are continued to be gifted to the essential workers.