Charles Dickens’ 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, begins with a phrase that paints a vivid picture of our world at this moment: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...”
Each of us is doing what we can to deal with the worst aspects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. I wish to focus on “the best” in this time - the courage and the empathy of those who chose healthcare as their life’s work; either as a direct care provider or a support services provider.
Most healthcare professionals realize it can be a dangerous profession. However, I don’t believe anyone imagined a situation like this. While no one signed up for this fight, no one has shied or run away from it either. Each day health care providers across the Tri-States and around the world are on the job for their communities, giving from their hearts to each patient and family.
Health care providers see and hear the same news stories as you - of their colleagues across the country fighting this battle and too often sacrificing their own lives in the process. Yet providers return to work each day because they know their communities need them.
These people are your loved ones, neighbors and friends. Please thank them in whatever way you can – if they are your neighbors, bring their empty trash can from the curb so they have one less household task; provide them a dinner; send them a thank you note at www.kudoboard.com/boards/blessing; smile and say thank you; or pay it forward by providing a service for another person in need.
On behalf of all of us in health care, I thank you for your support – for doing all the things you have been asked including social distancing, washing your hands, covering your cough, and wearing a mask to reduce the spread of the virus. As the weather warms, please do not let down your guard. Maintain social distancing and all the other steps you are practicing to reduce the risk of infection until medically-accepted evidence proves these steps are no longer needed. Lives depend on it.
Finally, thank you for your support in other ways - providing donations of goods, services and money to assist those on health care’s front lines and those unfortunate enough to contract the virus. Thank you for being a part of the best of times.
Maureen Kahn, RN, MHA, MSN
President/Chief Executive Officer
Blessing Health System/Blessing Hospital