This is what Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of NY State, said at a press conference three weeks ago when asked about healthcare workers and the situation they will be entering as the COVID-19 virus progressed in New York.
The picture is a representation of the iconic ‘Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima’ photograph, which shows six United States Marines raising the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in the final stages of the Pacific War.
The photograph was later used for the construction of the Marine Corps War Memorial in 1954, which was dedicated to honor all Marines who died for their country since 1775.
As the virus accelerates in New York, and all around the world, seeing Healthcare worker’s dedication, heroism, and courage is really unbelievable. They know the dangers better than most of us, yet they continue to face that danger to care for others. When being interviewed by the news, the question, ‘How do you feel about the situation you are putting yourself into’, the standard response from multiple Healthcare workers has been, ‘This is what we do’. How we will ever thank them, I am not sure.
But, the thanking and recognition does not stop there. This week in Barcelona, Doctor and Nurses stopped what they were doing and gave a huge round of applause to the cleaning staff that work all day and night to keep the hospitals clean. Here in the US, there was a project for kids called ‘Kindness 101’. Kids were asked to write a thank you letter to someone to show appreciation for what they are doing to help during these times. Letters were written to garbage collectors, postal service workers, police officers, grocery store workers and delivery drivers to name a few. There are many people we need to thank that are keeping critical parts of our ecosystem operating during these times.
We cannot all be doctors, nurses, postal workers, or delivery drivers, but we can all give them a smile and thank them.
A way to help in the UK
Dan Blake, a former HSBC colleague is one of the founders of The National Care Force The National Care Force is our response to the crisis, with a commitment to supporting those who depend on vital services – like care homes, home care and other such organizations – for as long as it takes to help every user. Social care is separate from the NHS, and its 1.6 million care providers are crying out for aid in this time of need. These providers will not receive NHS funding or volunteers to combat the effects of the virus.
They need people to join them in helping their social care system – from volunteers and care providers, to donors, technology and media partners.
thought for the week 