The Ultimate Healthcare Worker
Dan Kunz
During a recent interview for cable news, a nurse described the absolutely overwhelming stress of being a healthcare worker during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. She explained long shifts, intense concentration on medical protocols, and the helplessness of watching people die from a disease that was out of control. She then went on to picture something that probably came as a shock to anyone not involved in that day-to-day struggle.
The nurse described her mental state once she went home to her family. Rather than focusing on her own well-being, or her family, or even the routine tasks of running a household, she revealed that even when she left the hospital and all the stress and anguish she experienced there, all she could think about was her patients and her co-workers and how she needed to go back and help. Unbelievable!
One blessing to come out of the coronavirus epidemic is a new awareness of healthcare workers in today’s world. At various times in our history, Americans have seen policemen, firemen, and first responders rush into danger (9/11) or soldiers charge toward almost certain death (Iwo Jima or almost any other battle). Today, we are beginning to realize that many aspects of the healthcare industry are populated by those who are willing to risk their mental health, physical health, and even their lives, to serve and care for others. We call them “heroes” because they are!
My wife and I have two daughters who are such heroes. Our youngest daughter is a charge nurse at a nursing home with 125 residents. I can’t imagine going to work everyday wondering if another one of your dear “friends” is going to be diagnosed with this terrible disease, a very real threat for the aged and infirm. Is today the day that you, yourself, will become infected, or, worse yet, infect someone else? Our oldest daughter is a triage nurse who deals with expecting moms at a women’s clinic. Although not facing the same direct exposure to the coronavirus as her sister, she needs to spend much of her time trying to calm the fears of women who are concerned about the health and welfare of that precious baby they are carrying. What if I get COVID-19? Can the baby get it? What if I come in contact with someone that has it?
It’s wonderful to see so many people in our country trying so hard to express their love, appreciation, and respect for healthcare workers. Signs, parades, free food, applause, and even fly-overs show them our admiration and thankfulness. That’s awesome and long overdue in many cases.
As Christians, I hope we have the same attitude toward the greatest “healthcare worker” of all time – Jesus of Nazareth! Like the urgent care nurse from New York City, Jesus spent every waking moment concerned about those he came to help. Like those who serve in nursing homes, his friends are in constant danger. Like a triage nurse, he comforts those burdened with the fear of danger to them or their loved ones. Jesus saw the danger and, for him, the ultimate outcome of his actions, and yet he rushed headlong into the battle. Thinking only of those he came to save, he not only endured the disease - sin, but he became the cure. What an amazing story! What amazing love! Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.