The people on the frontline
The words of an Italian nurse may have been lost amid the public concern that is growing day after day as more Coronavirus cases are registered and measures are taken in an attempt to control the spread of the disease.
As Italy grapples with an unprecedented crisis and the Italian government goes as far as to close schools and public places – except for food stores and pharmacies – a strong advertising campaign is encouraging people in Italy to stay at home, as much as possible. Famous people have been asked to participate and urge citizens not to go to public places unnecessarily.
But it was this virtually unknown nurse that made some headlines too.
This nurse took the cue and, in a social media post, added her voice to that of more famous personalities to advise people to remain at home. Nurses, she said, cannot stay home, as they need to take care of others. But, if you appreciate your life and that of your relatives, friends and colleagues, stay home, stay safe, and stay away from the virus.
We take the opportunity of her public pronunciations to spend a good word on the people who are on the frontline in the fight against the virus. They all deserve our support and admiration.
Until last week, Malta did not have any cases, so we were simply observers to what was going on around the world, although we were not immune to the news that was coming from all over the world. But, as the first case was registered last Saturday, the concern about the disease has multiplied and it has started to affect our lives.
Still, as the debate goes on about what to do in workplaces and whether schools should remain open or not, we must think of those workers who, whatever happens, will be the closest to the people who have contracted the disease. They cannot stay home to carry out their professional duties, or build barriers and Perspex to keep a distance from their clients.
We are of course referring to the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff who have to take care of the Coronavirus patients and, as such, they are the closest they can get to the disease. To help others and take care of them at a critical moment of their lives, these medical workers are risking theirs.
Let us not belittle the work they are carrying out. And let us not make things worse for them by taking unnecessary risks that will increase the numbers. We all know – or should know, by now – that Coronavirus is highly contagious, and therefore we should limit the chances of exposing ourselves to it.
Steps have been taken and will continue to be taken by the authorities to try to contain the spread of the disease. Flights from countries experiencing an exponential rise in the number of cases have been stopped. More and more private companies are taking measures to try to limit the possibility of contagion.
While we complain about the inconvenience of having to change our routine, we should try to remember – and, for those who believe, say a prayer – that there are people whose job entails coming face to face with people carrying a disease that could potentially kill them. A thank you would be in good order.