The Coronavirus has changed our lives dramatically within the past few months. Recently, I got the chance to talk with Kim, a Pediatric ICU nurse regarding the changes at her hospital, how you can prevent COVID-19 from entering your home, the community impact, and what the future of healthcare could potentially look like.
What’s going on in there?
Since the COVID-19 started spreading, essential workers have protocols and routines that need to be followed to prevent themselves from spreading the virus. Kim mentioned that before the virus, the hospital felt more alive. People would walk around the hospital and eat freely in the cafeteria. Now, the hospital is very quiet and has a constant eerie feeling. Daily routines for Kim have changed as well. Before Kim can come home from work, she must change in the hospital and shower immediately when entering her home. No one is allowed to touch her or go near her until these procedures are completed whereas before, she walked into her home with ease.
What can you do to prevent COVID19?
While talking with Kim, she gave me multiple tips about how to prevent COVID-19 from entering my home. Keeping my immune system strong and wearing protective gear while being in populated areas were her biggest pieces of advice. Not sure how to maintain a healthy immune system? Here are some helpful tips to help your immune system stay strong:
- Take the correct amount of vitamin C and Zinc every day for your body.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables while trying to stay away from foods with high sugar content.
- Stress less by exercising, meditating, or performing positive self-talk. Do things that make you feel good!
- Drink the appropriate amount of water for your body daily.
Future of healthcare
What does the future of healthcare look like now that the Coronavirus has taken over? After talking with Kim, she clarified that everything has changed and will continue to evolve. Most doctors and nurses have never seen a pandemic like this before, which forces them to perform a lot of trial and error to see what works and what doesn’t. If a cure for COVID-19 is developed, Kim believes that people will change the way they view their health. Washing your hands and remaining healthy is something people will implement more often in their daily routines. Using natural remedies to cure illnesses will becoming more popular as well. The future of healthcare is changing, but what healthcare will look like exactly is something that no one can predict quite yet.
Mental health concerns
Your mental health is more important than you think. Previously, Kim mentioned that one of the best ways to boost your immune system was to stay stress-free. To try to reduce daily stress and boost mental health, you should exercise, meditate, and perform positive self-talk. With the widespread economic loss our country has faced and uncertainty about the future, mental health issues are beginning to rise. The best thing to do in this situation is to stay healthy, keep your mind clear, and remember that there is a light at the end of every tunnel. Need more tips on how to meditate and keep your mind clear? Learn more by reading our Meditation Guidelines blog.
Community impact
Did you participate in helping your community’s essential workers? If so, thank you for your kind donations. They truly appreciate all of your thoughtful gestures. There is another way you can help your essential workers. Kim confessed that the best way to show your kindness is through doing your part to help stop the spread and avoid overloading our healthcare system. You can do this by washing your hands, wearing a mask when in public, and by keeping your immune system healthy. Do your part and do what’s right and #stayhome.
Essential workers are truly amazing at what they do. Once this pandemic is a distant memory, please continue to remember that your essential workers are always there for you and will continue to be there for you. At O’Brien, we wanted to thank our awesome essential workers for all they have done to support our communities during this difficult time. You are all heroes!
If your organization needs, gloves, masks, no-touch thermometers, or surgical gowns, feel free to reach out to O’Brien Corporation today.
