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Editor’s note: This article is part of a series where we thank the Unexpected Heroes who put themselves at risk to help keep Utah running during the coronavirus pandemic. Every Monday, we will highlight a different industry to thank for their service. Every Friday, we will publish some of your submissions and send the messages of thanks to those in the field.
SALT LAKE CITY — As the novel coronavirus spreads through the world, many are hunkered in their homes waiting for the virus to subside. There are some, however, whose jobs put them on the front lines of the pandemic.
We recently asked you whom we should thank, and thousands of you responded with suggestions. This week, we're thanking those who work in health care.
From the people gathering test samples to doctors and nurses working in intensive care to the respiratory therapists whose skills are in high demand during this pandemic, these Unexpected Heroes have risen to the challenge. They do all this while also treating patients who need help with more routine ailments and injuries. They do this while facing shortages in personal protective equipment.
Utah's hospitalization rate remains low, at 201 hospitalized as of Monday. But one only needs to peek over the fence at other states to see how bleak and challenging things can get for those in health care.
These workers have put their physical and mental heath at risk, and often their personal lives on hold as they've faced one of the toughest challenges of all of our lifetimes. Share your gratitude for them with us.
If you are on a mobile device and cannot see the form below, follow this link.
Other ways you can help:
Sew a mask. Recently, University of Utah Health, Intermountain Healthcare and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teamed up to create ProjectProtect. They provide materials for medical-grade face masks and have asked the public to help them sew the masks.
Stay safe and stay home. To slow the spread of COVID-19, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued a statewide directive that asks Utahns to stay at home as much as possible, only travel for essential purposes, and practice social distancing. The upshot of this is if fewer people are in contact with each other, the virus can't spread effectively.
