This past week I spent an enormous amount of time thinking about and praying for my healthcare friends. My heart aches for them. Healthcare has drastically changed overnight and what my friends have to face every day is heavy.  As I read their post on social media, I hear the seriousness in their voices. As I see their pleas for help with protective equipment, I think I cannot believe it has come to this, that my friends are having to find their own masks and gowns because supplies are limited and will possibly soon run out. And then when I see the pictures of their faces, I see the worry and the exhaustion. They are stressed and scared. The weight they are carrying is heavy, I can’t even begin to know how heavy it is, and I won’t pretend to know.  But what I know is they love their job, they love people, they are servant hearted and they don’t have quit in them. They risk their lives to save ours. They put it all on the line every day. I know because I’ve seen it.

Not too long ago I was on their team. I was one of them. I remember when we geared up for Ebola and how scary that was. We didn’t know how our community would be impacted and if we would see an Ebola case, but nonetheless, we were ready. What I remember most about that time was how well the Athens Regional Family worked together to handle the impending crisis. Clinical and non-clinical worked across functional lines to ensure we had the best care available for patients and employees. Quality care and safety for everyone was top priority. I imagine the same has taken place in the face of COVID-19. The troops have been rallied and they are in the trenches ensuring that not a “T” is left uncrossed. Every day I can envision them huddled together reporting out and planning. For me, this is comforting, to have intelligent, compassionate, caring people prepared to do what it takes to care for the community.

And as I am comforted by their preparedness and commitment, I am concerned for them. What the larger community may not realize is those healthcare providers, they get up every day and face the unknown. They don’t know what emergencies are going to come through their doors for the day. They don’t know if they will have a patient code and pass away. They don’t know if they will hold the hand of a momma, who lost a child or a dying patient, who has no family. They don’t know if, and what, they will be exposed to during their shift. They don’t know if they will get to eat lunch or get a bathroom break. And all these unknowns lead to worry. They worry about their patients and their patient’s families. They worry about their colleagues. They worry about what germs they might be taking home to their family. They worry about the patient that just got bad news. And now, they have to worry about the spread of COVID-19. Will there be enough beds for patients that need them? Will there be enough ventilators? Will they have appropriate protective equipment to stay safe while caring for their patients? Will they be exposed and take it home to their family? Will there be enough staff to provide care? They are beyond exhausted, really they are emotionally and physically drained. The nurses, the physicians, the lab techs, the phlebotomist, the respiratory therapist, the social workers, the patient representatives, the patient care tech, the environmental services staff, the nutrition staff, the physical therapist, the case managers, the engineers, public safety, greeters, communications, the executive leadership team, and others who make up the healthcare team, they are carrying a burden we can’t understand and we must do our part to help them during this time of crisis.

I ask you to help by joining me in praying for everyone working in healthcare and their families. Pray for God to place a hedge of protection around them. Pray for strength and stamina. Pray for comfort and peace. What the hospital staff witnesses and does every day isn’t for the weak. Second, please adhere to social distancing. The healthcare professionals are risking everything when they step out of their homes to go to work, the very least we can do is stay home and flatten the curve. Third, donate. Donate blood if you are able and appropriate. Donate any supplies you might have that they need, gloves, masks, gowns. We have a shortage of blood and protective equipment. Last, tell them thank you. Let them know that you appreciate their sacrifice, as they are sacrificing their health for ours. When I think about the sacrifice they are making, the Bible verse John 15:13 comes to my mind, “Greater love has no man than this; that he lay down his life for his friends.” Let’s let them know we appreciate them and show them love the best way we can during these times. 

 To all my former colleagues and healthcare friends, and those around the world in healthcare,  I leave you with this prayer, “May The Lord bless you and keep you; may The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 I love you and am praying for you!