Each day we are reminded of how much strain our medical professionals are put under, and unfortunately, there has been no indication that their loads will lighten anytime soon. Although we are doing what we can to keep ourselves safe and out of the hospital beds and doctor surgeries, there are still several other elements that are creating difficulty. Have a look at the reasons highlighted below to see if there is anything that you can do to help.
Where There Is Growth There Is Demand
As the need for medical assistance increases, more hands are needed. Unfortunately, the retirement rate of workers is happening much faster than the job roles can be filled. It has been said that some people are afraid of getting sick while others are intimidated by the workload and so have chosen to steer clear of this profession entirely. But avoiding the need for help most definitely won’t make the problem go away.
PPE supplies have become terrifyingly low as businesses and individuals scramble to protect themselves without being considerate towards the needs of others. Not only this, but disposable masks and latex gloves have added to the already shocking amount of plastic pollution that has put our oceans in danger. By not purchasing reusable masks the prediction is that 1.5 billion masks will flood the oceans by the end of the year.
Won’t Machines Just Replace Them Anyways?
Despite what you may have read, seen, and or heard the theory that machines are getting ready to replace those working in medicine is, in fact, false. With that being said the development of technology as a way of being able to assist scientific development continues to take place.
Though this is very much positive as processes like MRI scans, and diagnosis can happen a lot faster that potentially could save more lives. Training for both old and new staff has to be put into place which demands for more time and bodies than are currently available.
There’s A Global Pandemic
Yes, this may be stating the obvious, but we need to remember this happened very unexpectedly, and as a result, our medical workers were incredibly unprepared. From what we have learned in the news, there was no ‘Global Pandemic 101’ exam, and so everyone was made to trial and error on the spot. Not only this, but the resources available in a country like The United Kingdom are not the same as those in Malawi.
Healthcare costs across the world differ tremendously, starting from free and moving towards costing thousands. Many individuals and their families already struggle to pay for their medical needs and check-ups, so when treatment costs emerge, it can result in people having to be turned away.
The World Continues to Turn
Just because Covid-19 has taken the world by storm, it doesn’t mean that life occurrences such as childbirth, cancer treatment, and fatal injury have stopped. The nurses at Labouré College, Massachusetts have willingly revealed to us the measures they have put in place to continue doing their part during this pandemic. Although these medical professionals are seen as real-life superheroes, we sometimes forget that they are also human beings just like us. With hospital beds overflowing, they have had to make the difficult decision as to whose health to prioritize which no individual ever wants to do.
It Gets Carried Home
Even though every precaution is taken to keep themselves safe, sometimes germs can slip through the cracks, and as a result, medical workers’ families can become sick. This means that more workers are having to self isolate at home. More workers in insolation mean that their colleagues are having to cover for them. Exhausted workers mean that accidents could happen, and in this line of work, it could be fatal.
For those who just simply cannot afford to self isolate themselves from their families, there are stories of staff members sleeping in garages, renting out hotel rooms, and even sleeping at work. Although heroic, emotional strain takes hold, and separation anxiety grows.
There will never be enough words to express how incredible our medical workers have been throughout the years, especially the pandemic year. We won’t ever know exactly how they have felt nor what they have seen but what we do know is that they continue to push themselves each day so that we can continue to be safe. Without them, there would be a lot less of us, and so we must remember why they are key workers.