Med students send key gear to front lines
the city. What began as NYU students looking for COVID-19-related initiatives became a citywide effort organized by med students hoping to help mentors in their field.
“We got into this profession because we want to help people,” she said of the outpouring of students’ support. “Ideally, we want to be helping people in the hospital, but because we can’t do that, anything we can do to help take a burden off of them counts.”
The epidemic is stressful for everyone, McLaughlin noted — but more so for medical professionals worried about a source for new protective equipment.
“If we can alleviate some of that stress, we can serve some purpose,” she said.
The outpouring proves many New Yorkers agree.
“It’s remarkable to see the creativity and solutions people are doing,” she said. “This has been a creative solution to a problem that really shouldn’t exist. People are making masks and face shields, there’s jewelry makers 3D printing things, people posting on Instagram to rally others to get gear in their niche.”
Not only has the experience provide desperately needed equipment to people risking their lives to keep New Yorkers healthy and safe, but it’s also confirmed to McLaughlin and her colleagues they’ve chosen the right field to pursue.
“It’s quite frightening to hear these things, that doctors are told to wear masks all month or they’re wearing trash bags as gowns. But doctors are so appreciative and grateful that in a frightening experience, they’re uplifting,” she said.
“I went into college knowing I wanted to be a doctor,” McLaughlin said. “Medical school has been a confirmation of that desire. I love learning what I’m learning, and I love being able to use that knowledge and people skills to help people through this crisis.”
Thisepidemicistheeducation of a lifetime, she said.
“I have a lifetime to learn medicine,” she said one doctor advised her. “This is much more important because it’s serving a bigger purpose.”