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How to Help the Helpers How to Help the Helpers
(31 minutes later)
Lynne Hewett, a Utah nurse, flew into New York City a couple of weeks ago, to work the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. She was an emergency room nurse in New York, after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy. She was in Haiti after the earthquake.Lynne Hewett, a Utah nurse, flew into New York City a couple of weeks ago, to work the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. She was an emergency room nurse in New York, after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy. She was in Haiti after the earthquake.
Now, she’s in a Manhattan hospital’s emergency room, treating an onslaught of New Yorkers who have coronavirus, or worry that they do. She’s never seen anything like it.Now, she’s in a Manhattan hospital’s emergency room, treating an onslaught of New Yorkers who have coronavirus, or worry that they do. She’s never seen anything like it.
“It’s overwhelming,” Ms. Hewett said. “These are really, really sick patients coming in, needing 10 or 11 people to work on them. These patients are coding” — or going into cardiac arrest. “There’s not enough staff to have a break and regroup; it’s nonstop. You’re trying to do one person, then you turn around and hear, ‘You’ve got another code next door.’”“It’s overwhelming,” Ms. Hewett said. “These are really, really sick patients coming in, needing 10 or 11 people to work on them. These patients are coding” — or going into cardiac arrest. “There’s not enough staff to have a break and regroup; it’s nonstop. You’re trying to do one person, then you turn around and hear, ‘You’ve got another code next door.’”
For many medical providers, such stress is the new norm. They’re coping with, or prepping for, crowds of sick or anxious patients and inadequate stores of personal protective equipment (P.P.E.). On the job, they expose themselves and by proxy their families, to a frightening disease. They’ve watched colleagues sicken or die from it.For many medical providers, such stress is the new norm. They’re coping with, or prepping for, crowds of sick or anxious patients and inadequate stores of personal protective equipment (P.P.E.). On the job, they expose themselves and by proxy their families, to a frightening disease. They’ve watched colleagues sicken or die from it.
Health care professionals are the helpers we turn to in times of need. Now that they’re under siege, they need our help as well. Here are some ways to help.Health care professionals are the helpers we turn to in times of need. Now that they’re under siege, they need our help as well. Here are some ways to help.
Follow the RulesFollow the Rules
It’s the No. 1 plea of all health care providers and emergency workers: Maintain social distance if you go out. Otherwise stay home!It’s the No. 1 plea of all health care providers and emergency workers: Maintain social distance if you go out. Otherwise stay home!
“It makes us all nuts,” said Dr. R. Sean Morrison, a geriatric and palliative care specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “I walk to work through Central Park. There are still people talking in groups, playing frisbee, standing together. They are vectors who could cause premature death.”“It makes us all nuts,” said Dr. R. Sean Morrison, a geriatric and palliative care specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “I walk to work through Central Park. There are still people talking in groups, playing frisbee, standing together. They are vectors who could cause premature death.”
Also, take a breath before seeking in-person help. If you feel sick, don’t start with an overflowing emergency room or the strained 911 system. Try this coronavirus self-checker from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contact your family physician or a nearby urgent care clinic. In many cases, you can make an appointment via telemedicine, a technology that’s caught on rapidly since the pandemic began. If you’re healthy, you’ve lowered your own exposure risk. If you have a mild case, you’ve decreased others’ risk and can self-treat at home.Also, take a breath before seeking in-person help. If you feel sick, don’t start with an overflowing emergency room or the strained 911 system. Try this coronavirus self-checker from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contact your family physician or a nearby urgent care clinic. In many cases, you can make an appointment via telemedicine, a technology that’s caught on rapidly since the pandemic began. If you’re healthy, you’ve lowered your own exposure risk. If you have a mild case, you’ve decreased others’ risk and can self-treat at home.
Brian Hildebrand, a Staten Island paramedic, said a lot of his job now involves responding to people who are panicky, not ill.Brian Hildebrand, a Staten Island paramedic, said a lot of his job now involves responding to people who are panicky, not ill.
“Don’t let fear dictate your actions,” Mr. Hildebrand advised. “Reach out before reacting. Call up your doctor, say this is what I’m feeling, what do you think? That ultimately is going to help us do our jobs much better.”“Don’t let fear dictate your actions,” Mr. Hildebrand advised. “Reach out before reacting. Call up your doctor, say this is what I’m feeling, what do you think? That ultimately is going to help us do our jobs much better.”
Help Procure Drastically Needed P.P.E.Help Procure Drastically Needed P.P.E.
The virus has exposed this country’s extreme shortage of masks, gowns and similar protection. Some providers have taken the unprecedented step of begging on social media for this equipment.The virus has exposed this country’s extreme shortage of masks, gowns and similar protection. Some providers have taken the unprecedented step of begging on social media for this equipment.
“We’re at war,” said Dr. David Fleeger, a colorectal surgeon in Austin and president of the Texas Medical Association. “We need the appropriate supplies. I can’t put my teams at risk to go into battle if they’re not well equipped. We’ve put pressure on the state, we’ve put pressure on the feds and we’re putting pressure on the community.”“We’re at war,” said Dr. David Fleeger, a colorectal surgeon in Austin and president of the Texas Medical Association. “We need the appropriate supplies. I can’t put my teams at risk to go into battle if they’re not well equipped. We’ve put pressure on the state, we’ve put pressure on the feds and we’re putting pressure on the community.”
Donate to P.P.E. fund-raisers on sites like Fundly or GoFundMe. The latter offers guidance on starting your own campaign. Multiple organizations are also pitching in: the Center for Disaster Philanthropy has a Covid-19 response fund. So does Direct Relief. Or, if you operate a business that has masks that aren’t being used now, donate supplies directly.Donate to P.P.E. fund-raisers on sites like Fundly or GoFundMe. The latter offers guidance on starting your own campaign. Multiple organizations are also pitching in: the Center for Disaster Philanthropy has a Covid-19 response fund. So does Direct Relief. Or, if you operate a business that has masks that aren’t being used now, donate supplies directly.
If you locate P.P.E., see if your local hospital or ambulance station wants it; call your county medical society or public health office. You can also contribute via sites like GetUsPPE, DonatePPE, Mask-Match or the broader PPE Coalition.If you locate P.P.E., see if your local hospital or ambulance station wants it; call your county medical society or public health office. You can also contribute via sites like GetUsPPE, DonatePPE, Mask-Match or the broader PPE Coalition.
Repurpose a Hobby or SkillRepurpose a Hobby or Skill
Like to sew? A movement to make masks for hospital workers is in full swing. Cloth masks don’t meet N95 safety standards, but providers may use them if they’re all that’s available. There are a wide range of patterns online; see if a nearby hospital accepts homemade masks or connect with a group involved in distribution.Like to sew? A movement to make masks for hospital workers is in full swing. Cloth masks don’t meet N95 safety standards, but providers may use them if they’re all that’s available. There are a wide range of patterns online; see if a nearby hospital accepts homemade masks or connect with a group involved in distribution.
People with a 3-D printing hobby are also stepping up, turning out masks and face shields based on open-source designs.People with a 3-D printing hobby are also stepping up, turning out masks and face shields based on open-source designs.
Donate BloodDonate Blood
The Food and Drug Administration, desperate for donations, just relaxed some of its existing restrictions, so that more people can step up to give blood. The national supply has fallen precipitously, leaving already overburdened doctors worried not just about coronavirus but patient care across the board.The Food and Drug Administration, desperate for donations, just relaxed some of its existing restrictions, so that more people can step up to give blood. The national supply has fallen precipitously, leaving already overburdened doctors worried not just about coronavirus but patient care across the board.
To find a center, try the American Association of Blood Banks locator, visit the Red Cross website, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. You can also find information through the America’s Blood Centers website.To find a center, try the American Association of Blood Banks locator, visit the Red Cross website, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. You can also find information through the America’s Blood Centers website.
Contribute Food, but Be Sure It’s WantedContribute Food, but Be Sure It’s Wanted
Sending treats or meals to exhausted, beleaguered front line workers has become increasingly popular.Sending treats or meals to exhausted, beleaguered front line workers has become increasingly popular.
Amanda Bart, a juvenile justice mental health administrator at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, took advantage of a recent Doughnuttery offer to double the amount on orders for health care workers. She and her friends bought 200 mini doughnuts for a worn-out physician assistant friend in a hospital that’s been slammed by the virus; Doughnuttery delivered 400.Amanda Bart, a juvenile justice mental health administrator at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, took advantage of a recent Doughnuttery offer to double the amount on orders for health care workers. She and her friends bought 200 mini doughnuts for a worn-out physician assistant friend in a hospital that’s been slammed by the virus; Doughnuttery delivered 400.
“He and his colleagues were extremely appreciative,” Ms. Bart said in an email. “He sent a photo of them eating donuts, with thumbs ups and called to thank me again, and say he shared them with the staff working on each of the four COVID-19 units.”“He and his colleagues were extremely appreciative,” Ms. Bart said in an email. “He sent a photo of them eating donuts, with thumbs ups and called to thank me again, and say he shared them with the staff working on each of the four COVID-19 units.”
Updated August 3, 2020 Updated August 4, 2020
Providers in Westchester County, N.Y., were thrilled recently when more than 400 pizzas arrived, courtesy of local residents (named Hillary and Bill Clinton).Providers in Westchester County, N.Y., were thrilled recently when more than 400 pizzas arrived, courtesy of local residents (named Hillary and Bill Clinton).
But not all frontliners want food delivered. Firehouses, for instance, have mostly closed their doors to the public.But not all frontliners want food delivered. Firehouses, for instance, have mostly closed their doors to the public.
“If someone brings us pizza or cookies, they could have coughed on the surface of the box they came in,” said Greg Morgan, an emergency medical technician in Northern Virginia. “We’re better off not taking the chance of being infected. If one of us gets sick, it could wipe out an entire shift. I’d rather have distance for now.”“If someone brings us pizza or cookies, they could have coughed on the surface of the box they came in,” said Greg Morgan, an emergency medical technician in Northern Virginia. “We’re better off not taking the chance of being infected. If one of us gets sick, it could wipe out an entire shift. I’d rather have distance for now.”
So check before assuming your donation is welcome.So check before assuming your donation is welcome.
Offer Responders a Place to StayOffer Responders a Place to Stay
Airbnb, the worldwide home-sharing service, has mobilized in the wake of disasters like the Australian forest fires or Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Now, through its hosting network, the company has met its goal of being able to offer 100,000 lodgings around the world to healthcare professionals flying into hard-hit cities, or to those who want to be near a hospital where they’re practicing. They will be made available at either free or discounted rates. If you have an unoccupied living space, learn more here about offering it to a frontline responder.Airbnb, the worldwide home-sharing service, has mobilized in the wake of disasters like the Australian forest fires or Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Now, through its hosting network, the company has met its goal of being able to offer 100,000 lodgings around the world to healthcare professionals flying into hard-hit cities, or to those who want to be near a hospital where they’re practicing. They will be made available at either free or discounted rates. If you have an unoccupied living space, learn more here about offering it to a frontline responder.
Personally Lighten a Friend’s LoadPersonally Lighten a Friend’s Load
Your college friend now works as an imaging tech. She’s exhausted. Let her vent.Your college friend now works as an imaging tech. She’s exhausted. Let her vent.
“Pick up the phone, make that meaningful connection,” said Dr. Sandeep Sachdeva, chief medical officer at Swedish Edmonds and Mill Creek, outside Seattle. “Say, ‘I’ve been wondering how you’re doing’ and really mean it. It’s the deepest, simplest thing you can do. These folks are getting up every morning and putting themselves in harm’s way, running towards the fire when everyone else is running away.”“Pick up the phone, make that meaningful connection,” said Dr. Sandeep Sachdeva, chief medical officer at Swedish Edmonds and Mill Creek, outside Seattle. “Say, ‘I’ve been wondering how you’re doing’ and really mean it. It’s the deepest, simplest thing you can do. These folks are getting up every morning and putting themselves in harm’s way, running towards the fire when everyone else is running away.”
Say Thank You Small or BigSay Thank You Small or Big
The man showed up outside the window of the Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. Tears streaming, he held up a sign: “Thank you all in emergency for saving my wife’s life/ I love you all.” A nurse, crying herself, snapped a soon-to-be-viral photo.The man showed up outside the window of the Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. Tears streaming, he held up a sign: “Thank you all in emergency for saving my wife’s life/ I love you all.” A nurse, crying herself, snapped a soon-to-be-viral photo.
“It was such a morale booster for our staff,” said Trish O’Keefe, the medical center’s president. “It still is. It’s a symbolic reminder of why we’re all here,”“It was such a morale booster for our staff,” said Trish O’Keefe, the medical center’s president. “It still is. It’s a symbolic reminder of why we’re all here,”
Staff members at hospitals in New Orleans came to work one day to find large signs had been erected overnight, saying, “Heroes work here.”Staff members at hospitals in New Orleans came to work one day to find large signs had been erected overnight, saying, “Heroes work here.”
And organized clapping sessions to show love and appreciation to health care workers are trending at #clapbecausewecare, in communities across the world.And organized clapping sessions to show love and appreciation to health care workers are trending at #clapbecausewecare, in communities across the world.
“I walk to work in scrubs,” noted Ms. Hewett, the nurse working in the Bronx. “I’ve heard it, I don’t know how many times, people tell me, ‘Thank you, thank you.’ It’s so cool, it’s just lovely. It justifies what I do.”“I walk to work in scrubs,” noted Ms. Hewett, the nurse working in the Bronx. “I’ve heard it, I don’t know how many times, people tell me, ‘Thank you, thank you.’ It’s so cool, it’s just lovely. It justifies what I do.”