https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqbL9LvQJiI

Covid Story from the Frontline.pdf Lorenz De Leon.pdf

By Lorenz S. De Leon, BSN, RN, MBANE-BC

January 2020 marks the beginning of the year of nurses and midwives. All nursing publication were celebrating “2020 The Year of the Nurses”-- even on television a commercial was played thanking Nurses and Midwives. Our manager was already planning to celebrate Nurses Week 2020 going to make it a little special. My colleagues and I were talking about our summer trips and the Corona virus is not in anyone’s vocabulary-- it was something that is happening in China.

February came and a few cases in the U.S. were reported. No need to be alarmed I thought, just like in the past Ebola, SARS and H1N1 it will eventually go away. Then on March 9 , 2020, Italy’s prime minister announced that their government is imposing national quarantine; restricting movement of the population except for necessary work. Here in the United States as the cases are still very minimal, no restrictions has been given by the government. That Monday I came to work and I was in disbelief that more than half of the staff are not aware of what is happening in Italy and COVID-19. As a lead nurse in a typical nurse’s reaction, once a problem is identified the nursing process is utilized. Awareness about the current issue is lacking and one intervention is to increase people’s awareness. One simple solution is to keep one of the televisions in the clinical area on CNN to get more information about COVID-19 and learn ways to mitigate the spread of infection. We then started conversations about how we will keep everyone safe based on CDC guidelines during this time. Concerns about spread of infection to patients were communicated to our manager and interventions suggested. Signs and symptoms of the disease were changing constantly and information are scarce which contributed to increased anxiety among staff. It prompted us to start wearing masks all day in our department even though it was prohibited at our workplace in the beginning. As concerns for infection grew and wearing a mask for long periods were not allowed, one day all of us in my department started to have the “sniffles”. We were then allowed to wear masks to keep everyone safe. As we watched the number of cases and mortality from COVID-19 increase in the U.S. and around the world those first three weeks were so stressful to all staff members. Physiological manifestation of stress and anxiety started. For instance, I was having GI issues such as frequent heartburn and diarrhea almost on a daily basis. One of my co-workers started experiencing anxiety and unable to sleep, another got so worried to catch the virus spreading it to her family that she decided not to have any contact with them for several days.

When California started the shelter at home order, our department remained open and all team members came to work every day even the risk of contracting COVID-19 is ever present. Not one staff took a leave of absence or day-off even though our organization gave employees the option to take a leave of absence with appropriate compensation during this time. Everyone seemed to understand why WE are here. This act of selflessness is inspiring and as the lead nurse I made sure that communication between staff and management team are constantly flowing. As a frontline leader, I believe that it is my duty to bridge that gap. I gathered as much information as I can from friends and relatives working in healthcare locally as well as in Europe--took their best practices and provide that information to our leadership and applied whatever is applicable to our department. We continue having great teamwork, kept the morale high, and worked closely with our supervisor and manager to address concerns of each staff member and ensure that we execute our tasks. Like every hospital in the nation our PPE became limited as well, and in our line of work of providing chemotherapy PPE is essential. Having an open communication with management, we are able to manage the lack of supplies and equipment. Able to continue providing safe and effective care to our patients. It may have been challenging however, we learned that effectively communicating your concerns and providing the rationale will enable you achieve your objectives.

Dear Colleagues,

This Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we carry on our activities of daily living. The frontline health care workers are affected the most. They not only take care of their patients but also take care and protect themselves and their families. This may involve separation from their family to prevent the transmission of the virus.

The Executive Board and Advisory Council of the Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California are very grateful of your service, dedication, and commitment to the nursing profession. You are risking your life to take care of others. You are our Heroes. As a token of support and appreciation to your service and commitment, PNANC has taken the initiative and launched Masks for Heroes project. PNANC donated masks to hospitals, nursing homes and community agencies primarily in San Mateo County with a few in San Francisco and Alameda Counties. We were able to raise funds to purchase masks. We had friends and relatives who sewed and donated cloth masks.

We also organized a prayer group and have received prayer intentions from PNANC and PNAA members. Pope Francis has provided universal prayer intentions that we have included in our prayers. We are very aware that working long hours in a stressful environment can take on a toll on your physical and mental health. We urge you to take advantage of support and assistance that are available from your employer or insurance carriers. We are looking at the possibility of a Zoom support group for our members. We will keep you informed. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance to you.

Thank you & God Bless,

PNANC Executive Board & Advisory Board Members

PNANC Letter to Front Line Heroes.pdf

https://www.flipsnack.com/Lexser/torch-template.html

My fellow colleagues,

As COVID-19 continues to accelerate its spread globally, we are all facing crisis and our lives are impacted with this unprecedented situation.  Unlike the flu, there is no vaccine, and no known treatment for this unknown virus so far. Even though the healthcare industry are in such rapid vaccine development, it cannot be available for 12-18 months even if proven safe for public use. 

How can we help our community and nurses who are the front liners in combat for this monster disease? Most hospitals are in shortage of PPE across USA. The PNANC organization are in contact with small business organizations in providing handmade masks to be provided to Bay Area health system for support, and we continue to accept small donations.

What can we do to help combat this virus?

Please feel free to contact me for further assistance.  

Best and warm regards,

Sol Hafalia

PNANC President

2018-2020

solhafalia@gmail.com

• For most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to below. This virus is not currently widespread in the United States.
• People in places where ongoing community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated risk of exposure, with an increase in risk dependent on the location.
• Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
• Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure.
• CDC has established geographic risk-stratification criteria for the purpose of issuing travel health notices for countries with COVID-19 transmission and guiding public health management decisions for people with potential travel-related exposures to COVID-19.

1. The decision to put Safety First to protect patients, caregivers, family members, and the community, locally and globally, from this virus is of utmost importance. 
2. We advocate for every human life especially the vulnerable, the elderly, the young, the sick and those with little or no access to healthcare.
3. Healthcare workers, patients, significant others and the community are adequately educated with evidence-based information about COVID-19 and in basic infection prevention measures to stop the spread such as everyday preventive actions. We encourage communities to frequently wash hands, cover sneezes and coughs with a tissue, clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces regularly, and to stay home when sick.
4. As one of the frontline caregivers and first responders that we are effectively trained, perform protocols and do rapid communication with other caregivers to protect them from exposure as they manage and respond to this outbreak.
5. We will observe, promote, maintain personal health optimum and strengthen our immune system by eating right, get enough rest/sleep and exercise.
6. Care settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics and the like have adequate personal protective equipment.
7. Support the guidelines provided by the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and the American Nurses Association.
8. Comply with external agencies' recommendations as it relates to large meetings and gatherings to cancel these gatherings and consider using conference calls and video streaming.
9. All PNAA international business travels along with domestic travel to large conferences or gatherings be suspended.

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid touching your eye, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
4. Stay home when you are sick.
5. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, rather than into your hands.
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
7. Stay healthy, eat right, have enough rest/sleep/exercise, take your vitamins.
8. Avoid large gatherings, unnecessary travel, meetings and cruises especially for the elderly population.
9. If having respiratory symptoms, stay home, self-quarantine, ensure enough food, household supplies, medicines you are taking for about 2 weeks. Wear a mask if having respiratory symptoms to protect others.
10. Seek prompt medical attention if respiratory symptoms are worsening such as fever, difficulty breathing and cough.  Inform the clinic staff ahead of time of your symptoms and put on a facemask before you enter a medical facility/or doctor’s office. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.