Welcome to Day 10 of our Giving Thanks project. Yesterday we talked about the influence of teachers on our life. Of course, we think about the traditional teachers from our school days but our teachers come in many forms because we are hopefully learning new things throughout our lifetime. If you missed that post, you can find it here: A Teacher’s Influence
Today’s post is very personal to me. I would like for all of us to take a moment and really think about the healthcare workers that you know. This includes nurses, doctors, pharmacists, social workers, aides, paramedics, EMTs, respiratory therapists, imaging specialists, and everyone else on the healthcare team. I’m a nurse. My husband is a nurse. My sister is a physical therapist. Many of our friends and family members work in hospitals. I don’t work in a hospital anymore but I am scared to death for everyone that does right now.
If you haven’t watched the news or read a paper lately, our hospitals are in deep trouble as the nation’s COVID numbers continue to climb. If you are skeptical of what you hear on TV, just ask one of your neighbors who work in a hospital. This is for real. This virus is out of control. Many hospitals are overwhelmed. Our nurses, doctors, and everyone else on the healthcare team is overwhelmed, exhausted, and scared for their own safety. I am begging everyone who reads this to please, please, please wear a mask and social distance from others. Every little bit helps. What YOU do today matters.
I know that many people are against or offended at the thought of wearing a mask. If you knew that wearing a mask could save someone’s life, would that change your mind?
Today, and everyday, I am grateful for and have the highest level of respect for every single person who is out there, taking care of others, especially during a time when there is so much uncertainty about a virus that has already killed almost 240,000 Americans.
Are you a healthcare provider or a front line worker? If so, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are appreciated.
Until next time, keep looking for goodness around you (but please please please wear a mask while you’re doing it). 🙂
With gratitude,
Denise 🙂