How to Support Healthcare Workers amid the COVID-19 Crisis

Updated on November 25, 2020

The COVID-19 crisis continues to affect global communities as a surge in new cases is expected to close out the year. Healthcare workers are already at risk, choosing to stay and man the frontlines to help those afflicted with this disease. Another outbreak will only increase health and safety hazards in the workplace.

As such, it’s more important than ever to provide healthcare workers with the support they need. As the public sector works on giving them proper compensation and protection, the private sector can do its part through different initiatives.

What can you do for healthcare workers?

You don’t have to be in partnership with a large organization to show your support to healthcare workers. Here are some ways you can express your gratitude for their service.

Stay Home

As lockdown protocols are lifted, more people are leaving their homes to meet up with each other. Social distancing is often forgotten as you catch up. This increases the risk of COVID-19 spreading across communities. By staying home and going out only when necessary, you help healthcare workers indirectly. With lower risks of contamination, there will be fewer cases; and fewer cases will result in lower risks for frontline workers.

Rent Out Rooms

Healthcare workers who live far from their hospitals or clinics are at risk of road accidents as they drive while sleepy or tired. If you have a vacant condo near medical or research centers, consider renting them out to nurses and doctors. Alternatively, you can partner with organizations that provide accommodation to medical workers, allowing them to list your condo or apartment unit.

Know When to Get Help

Sometimes, it becomes an immediate reaction to go straight to the emergency room for medical assistance, without making an appointment. This poses a challenge to healthcare workers as it takes valuable time away from patients in need of critical care. Find out what constitutes a trip to the ER to avoid visiting for minor or non-urgent problems. You may visit an urgent care clinic instead.

Make Donations

In the last few months, several charities and fundraising programs have been launched to provide additional support to healthcare workers. These range from additional personal protective equipment (PPE) to meal-prep programs for everyone in essential industries. If you don’t have additional funds to donate, you can offer your time by volunteering or helping spread the word to get more people involved.

Thank Them

If you know anyone in the healthcare industry, consider sending them a message to thank them for their hard work. You can post words of encouragement online, too. Most hospitals have social media pages that you can use to share your appreciation.Another option would be to post “thank you” messages on your own social media accounts and address them to the entire healthcare industry.

If this pandemic has taught the world anything, it is how important healthcare workers and other frontline workers are in society. They provide essential services that few people can or want to. Giving them support, in whatever way you can, shows them that they are valued.

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