Transcript
First responders like paramedics, police officers and firefighters are being hit especially hard during the pandemic.
But across the nation, thousands of first responders who have recovered from their bouts with Covid 19 are returning to the front lines.
For example in New York City alone dozens of police and firefighters have died from coronavirus.
More than 7,000 of them have returned to the job after recovering.
But first they have to deal with their own illness, go through isolation and battle their own fears.
Some come back, fighting recurrent coughs, weight loss and energy depletion.
Many of them wonder if they really do have immunity against getting the virus again.
And they worry about infecting their relatives and colleagues.
But still they battle.
Many first responders say the work of saving people in this pandemic is too important to them.
They also bring new skills and sensibilities to the front lines by being able to understand exactly what a Covid 19 patient is going through when they call for help.
Having gone through it themselves, first responders are able to offer a knowing reassurance to patients.
But many recovering first responders need their own reassurance.
Health experts worry about the emotional well-being of first responders.
New York ER Doctor Lorna Breen, who had just recovered from coronavirus, took her own life recently.
For many first responders there is a stigma associated with seeking help for anxiety and depression.
Even before the pandemic, ER doctors were at a high risk for suicide.
And firefighters were more at risk of dying from suicide than from fighting fires.
If you or someone you know is on the front lines of this pandemic, it is important to know help is available by calling the toll-free number on the screen.
Posted – 5.2.20