Central PA Medicine Summer 2021 - 23

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Grocery workers, sanitation workers,
D
uring the height of the COVID-19
pandemic expressions of gratitude
flowed across our nation and
the world to those we now refer
to as " essential workers. " Signs of " Heroes
Work Here " were seen far and wide and
clanging of pots and pans rang out from
balconies showing appreciation for health
care workers as they returned home from
long, grueling, and emotionally exhaustive
workdays. Some front-line workers received
temporary salary increases. Our environment
temporarily sang out with signs of relief from
the toxins that were choking it.
We lost many front-line and essential
workers to the ravages of COVID-19. Many
are still suffering from long-term effects of
COVID-19 - " long COVID. " Countless
are experiencing PTSD and/or pent-up grief
over the loss of loved ones, friends, colleagues,
and patients they cared for. There was no
time to grieve.
As we move into a new, unfamiliar phase
of COVID-19 it is critical that we support
and grieve with and for our colleagues,
families, friends, and neighbors. It's critical
that we put into practice self-care. It is also
essential that we as physicians lead our
practices, institutions, and communities in
recognizing all our " essential workers " in a
tangible way.
Do we greet our maintenance, housekeeping,
and cafeteria/dietary staff with a warm
" hello " or " good morning " ? Do we make eye
contact which often conveys to others that
we " see them " ? How do we interact with the
nursing assistants as well as the nurses and
pharmacists? What about the unit secretaries
and transport personnel? How often do
we thank them? Do we take the time to
know the names of ancillary staff? What
about their children and loved ones? Have
they too lost loved ones, neighbors, and/or
co-workers? How much do we really care
about our essential workers and how can
we demonstrate our appreciation?
" You cannot
escape the
responsibility
of tomorrow
by evading it
today. "
- Abraham Lincoln
" For [even
the whole]
creation [all
nature] waits
eagerly for the
children of God
to be revealed. "
- Romans 8:19
Amplified Version of Holy Bible
factory and warehouse workers, truck drivers,
and public transit workers were crucial to
our economy, well-being, and sustenance.
Although we saw long lines as never before
at food banks and had difficulty purchasing
items such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer,
as a nation most still had the necessities of
life. Do we really want to return to " normal " ?
What is " normal " ? Should workers not be
paid a living wage? Should parents struggle
to afford reliable, safe, high quality childcare?
Should health and educational inequity
remain the status quo? What about safe,
affordable housing and the elimination of
grocery store & pharmacy deserts?
Last week during a radio interview of a
celebrity I was encouraged to hear him say
that although COVID-19 was traumatizing
to many and challenging for his family, it
was also a blessing to he and his family. He
was grateful for the time he spent with his
children; something we often take for granted.
Obviously, he had the privilege of working
from home and financial stability. Returning
to pre-COVID-19 lifestyles may not be the
best or wisest option for our nation.
As we continue to recover from the last
sixteen plus months, we must take time to
" smell the roses " - spend more time with
family and friends, don't ignore that neighbor,
passerby, or maintenance worker, all whom
you may not see again due to unanticipated
events. In addition to " smelling the roses "
we should reflect on what role(s) we can
play in our society in NOT returning to
the status quo. Do the policies we support
sustain, increase, or decrease inequities? What
does our circle of friends and acquaintances
look like and think? Are they monolithic; is
there any significant diversity? How can our
practices, institutions, faith communities,
and neighborhoods participate in decreasing
inequities in our society? Do we even care?
If not, why not? We are all in this together -
we can sink or swim together; hopefully, we
will choose to swim with our fellow human
beings and creation.
Central PA Medicine Summer 2021 23
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Central PA Medicine Summer 2021

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