The past few months have shown the strength and resiliency of many, but one group of people have stood out as warriors on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 — America’s nurses.
National Nurses Week begins on May 6, and this year, The Era reached out to state and federal officials to share their thoughts about those frontline heroes.
“Nurses are the superheroes of the health care profession,” said state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint. “From the most basic to the most intricate tasks, they are there to do whatever is needed to help their patients. They tend not only to their physical needs, but to their emotional needs as well.”
This year’s celebration may be more poignant because of the pandemic, but nurses are always heroes, he said.
“While more people are recognizing the work of our nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, we should appreciate them every day,” Causer said. “Their hard work and dedication is a cornerstone of our health care system.”
Pennsylvania’s Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, agreed with his colleague’s assessment.
“Nurses are an integral part of providing quality healthcare to residents across our Commonwealth,” Scarnati said. “During the current public health emergency so many brave nurses stand on the front lines to help others. Coming from a family of many nurses, I see firsthand that the compassionate care our nurses provide each and every day makes our communities stronger. We owe our nurses our sincere thanks and gratitude for their dedicated service.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Health officials expressed their appreciation for nurses as well.
“Nurses play an important role in helping to keep Pennsylvanians safe. And that is never more apparent than in the midst of a pandemic,” said Nate Wardle, spokesman for the health department. “Our nurses are among the healthcare providers, on the front lines working to assist those with COVID-19.
“In Pennsylvania, we have a number of dedicated nurses working in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and also our wonderful public health nurses,” he continued. “The state’s public health nurses are essential in assisting the department in all the things we do, and are our bridge to the community. These individuals are committed to the areas they serve, and to assisting people in need that they work with on a regular basis.”
U.S. Congressman Glenn Thompson, who was a healthcare administrator before entering into politics, lauded the role of nurses as well.
“The positive impact nurses have on our communities cannot be overstated. Every day, they risk exposure to care for our loved ones and we are indebted to them for their sacrifice,” Thompson said. “I’m grateful for their service always, and particularly during COVID-19.”
For his part, Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senator Bob Casey spoke of the sacrifice nurses make as well.
“Pennsylvania’s nurses are fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, making sacrifices to help their patients every day,” Casey said. “They spend tireless hours caring for those sickened with the virus, risking their own health to care for others. Our nurses are heroes, and I will continue fighting to ensure that all of our health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients receive premium pay, as well as the resources they need to fight this pandemic.”
Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., spoke of the importance of giving thanks to those who have done so much during this pandemic.
“As we all struggle through this unprecedented set of circumstances, and we’ve confronted various challenges in our personal and professional lives, I think it’s important to take a moment and say a big thank you to the folks who have been on the frontlines in this battle, this series of battles, and those are our health care workers,” Toomey said.
“It’s the doctors, the nurses, the technicians, the folks working in nursing homes, the men and women who are dealing every day with our moms and dads, and friends, and family members, and even ourselves.
“With all of our fellow Americans and Pennsylvanians who have been afflicted by the COVID virus or have come in contact with people who have,” he continued. “They’re the heroes in this war. We’re going to win this war. And we’re going to win it in part because of the bravery, the dedication, and the compassion of our health care workers. On behalf of all Pennsylvanians I represent, thank you to all of you who are making such a big difference.”
