In the Beginning
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic we all have been inspired by the men and women who have heroically stepped up and assumed the mantle of leadership, giving generously of their time and resources to others.
Heroes from all walks of life have come forward. These heroes include frontline healthcare clinicians, frontline clergy, first responders for our safety, food plant processors, service delivery workers and others providing essential services for other people, often at great risk to themselves.
Those of us receiving these services are deeply grateful. We have expressed that gratitude with signs reading “Heroes work here”, thank you signs in our front yards, food donated to COVID-19 healthcare workers working extended hours on a daily basis, TV specials detailing the work of various service providers, and even Blue Angels and’ Thunderbirds flyovers.
The Coronavirus Generation of Heroes
In his article, “How to be A Hero in the Coronavirus Generation“, H. Steven Moffic notes that the common characteristic that the frontline workers share is that they are doing their jobs every day at great risk to themselves. For this reason, we may be seeing the emergence of another Greatest Generation, the Coronavirus Generation. These heroes are characterized by:
- Courage
- Grit
- Humility
- Selflessness
- Empathy
It is easier for us to fully appreciate the courage, generosity, and compassion of our frontline workers when we are able to take a closer look into the day-to-day experiences of a COVID-19 healthcare professional.
Megan's Story
I would like to introduce you to one of the frontline heroes who happens to be my granddaughter, Megan. Megan has her bachelor’s degree in nursing and is a registered nurse. She has worked almost exclusively in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) since the outbreak of the pandemic in both Arizona and Texas. She worked as a travel nurse on crisis contracts for areas with spiking numbers in COVID cases and nursing shortages.
Prior to the pandemic, Megan worked in Kansas City, in a cardiovascular ICU with patients recovering from heart surgery and other heart conditions. I asked Megan if I could interview her to get a more intimate look into her daily life – her responsibilities, her highs, her lows and what she does for her own self-care. I also asked what she wants other people to know about the impact of COVID-19.
Megan’s Responses:
Being able to care for people when they are going through what is probably the most frightening time of their lives has been a life challenging experience for me. Nothing could have prepared the world or frontline workers for what we were about to endure with this pandemic. Working as a COVID responder has often been compared to “going to battle.” After months of working long hours with these patients, I completely understand why. Even if they don’t actually get COVID-19, many nurses carry the physical and emotional battle scars of the pandemic long after it is under control.
Each day I care for an average of two critically ill COVID patients in the ICU. In addition to medical responsibilities, I am often a stand-in for family members who aren’t allowed in the hospital due to visitor restrictions. Comforting patients, helping a person feel he or she is not alone, holding a hand or assisting with a Facetime call are some of the ways ICU nurses help COVID patients feel less alone in such a terrifying time.
Highs: While I really enjoy doing special things for patients (one lady asked me to braid her hair), the greatest high is seeing a person recover and getting to return home to his or her family.
Lows: Many frontline workers like myself feel guilt when speaking about the toll this may be taking on our mental and physical health knowing that the patients we are caring for are fighting for their lives. We know our patients are dying without their loved ones by their side. Our hearts hurt not only for our patients, but family members who feel helpless at home. We do everything in our power to make our patients feel comforted and less alone, while also trying our best to keep them alive.
Self-care: We have seen unprecedented levels of overwork by nurses and other healthcare workers. There is often limited time for rest and recuperation, and very little consideration of mental health and wellbeing of these workers. So many days there is no time to break down because there is another patient’s life in our hands. For that reason, it is particularly important for each of us to be intentional in doing things to mitigate the stress.
Some of my favorite ways to destress are taking care of my Smart Garden, hiking, or just relaxing in a hot bubble bath. While it is important to have days when we take our mind off of COVID-19, I feel it is also important to find a time to recognize our feelings and sit with them. Ignoring these painful feelings could be detrimental to our mental health down the road.
What I would like to share with others.
While I don’t necessarily speak for all frontline workers, here are a few thoughts of mine that I would like to share with you
- The huge support in the beginning of the pandemic was greatly appreciated and very important to the frontline. All workers hope that it continues throughout the pandemic.
- If you have a loved one who is a healthcare worker, help him or her relax when they are off duty. There may be times when they may not want to talk about their experiences. You might ask “Is this a good time to talk?”.
- This may sound a little morbid, but should you be hospitalized with COVID-19, it is so important to plan ahead by discussing with your family your wishes regarding the use of a ventilator. Be sure you have Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) instructions in writing for your medical care. In addition, be sure to add your wishes regarding a ventilator and other medical efforts you would or wouldn’t want. If possible, bring this paperwork with you if you have to go to the hospital for treatment.
- It is also important for each of us to take action to combat COVID-19. Wearing of masks, washing hands and appropriate social distancing are important. While you may not be at risk, others may be compromised by age or other factors.Doing these things is a demonstration of empathy and compassion for yourself and those around you
- If you have never experienced being a healthcare worker on a COVID unit, please give a great deal of thought before putting a strong opinion on social media, There have seen many posts about how the virus is a hoax or it is not as bad as the media is portraying it to be. Until you have personally witnessed how deadlyCOVID-19 can be, please be thoughtful when you state your opinions on the pandemic. This can come across as disrespectful to not only frontline workers, but also the thousands of Americans who have lost loved ones to this virus.
- I believe there will be a great need for free follow-up mental health supportive therapy and support services. This need is not just for healthcare workers, but for all first responders, survivors, families, and those suffering from COVID-related unemployment and financial difficulties.
Time has passed. we need a reminder.
Time has passed since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and with it has gone much of the initial recognition and gratitude shown to our COVID-19 frontline workers. But their services continue and may be required for a very long time to come even though we have just received exciting news from Pfizer Laboratories about a promising vaccine.
This article is written as a simple reminder to all of us to ensure that each of these heroes have the opportunity to experience the deep appreciation and gratitude every one of us feels every single day for all that they are continuously doing for us and our loved ones at great cost to their own physical and mental well-being.
A heartfelt thank you
In summary, this article is a heartfelt thank you to Megan and all of our Coronavirus Generation of Heroes. We love you, we salute you, and we will always support you in all that you do to make our lives easier and our world a better place.
May you be safe, happy and healthy.
Donna