Updated: Jan. 8, 2021
Originally Published: April 9, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, healthcare professionals are often likened to soldiers on the front lines. Doctors, nurses, and other medical staff have become our warriors, battling an invisible enemy. The term “triage” has gained prominence as we grapple with the heartbreaking loss of life caused by this virus.
Every day, individuals are passing away, sometimes without the comfort of loved ones by their sides. Yet, they are not alone in their final moments. Medical personnel bear witness to these tragedies, striving to save lives against all odds. They are our heroes, but this heroism comes at a steep emotional cost.
I’ve witnessed death—a moment when someone takes their last breath, and the atmosphere shifts, feeling inexplicably empty. Those fleeting moments linger in my mind, transforming me in ways I cannot fully express. As I shelter safely at home with my children, I think of those healthcare workers who cannot enjoy the same safety. They are pushing beyond their limits, confronting an overwhelming tide of illness and loss.
Despite their extensive training, the toll on frontline workers is profound. The haunting memories of loss and the emotional scars they will carry are inevitable. Long after the physical exhaustion subsides, the mental weight they will bear will linger.
Healthcare workers will soon face impossible decisions—who receives a life-saving ventilator, and who does not. In my own experience, I had to make a heart-wrenching choice once, and the echoes of that decision still linger in my thoughts. Even with guidelines in place to help navigate these choices, the psychological burden remains.
Support for frontline workers is crucial, both now and in the future. Communities are rallying around them—donating food and supplies, creating homemade masks, and expressing gratitude through nightly applause. Initiatives like meditation app subscriptions and supportive signs in neighborhoods are valuable gestures. Yet, the need for ongoing support will be paramount as they grapple with potential post-traumatic stress and burnout.
There will be a day when the pandemic becomes a memory, but the emotional impact of these experiences will remain. Healthcare professionals are witnessing far more than most of us can fathom, and their experiences of trauma will vary greatly. I cannot claim to understand the depths of their struggles, but I hope that the support they receive continues even after the crisis has passed.
These brave individuals have stepped up, many returning from retirement, when it would have been simpler to walk away. They have borne the burden so the rest of us could remain safe, and they deserve access to mental health resources. I hope that in the moments of difficulty, they are reminded of the love and appreciation extended to them from afar.
Let us not forget their sacrifices; they saved countless lives and deserve our eternal gratitude.
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Summary
Healthcare workers are battling not only against COVID-19 but also facing significant emotional challenges. As they witness overwhelming loss and make difficult choices, the need for continuous support becomes critical. Their heroism comes at a cost, and we must ensure they receive the help they need both now and in the future.
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