On Thanksgiving, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris made an unexpected call to a nurse in Chicago to express her gratitude for the nurse’s tireless efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nurse, named Mia Thompson, works at the University of Chicago Medical Center and was thrilled to receive the call, which was part of Harris’s initiative to reach out to several frontline healthcare workers on the holiday.
Discussion on PPE and Healthcare Support
During their conversation, Harris discussed the collaborative efforts she and President-elect Joe Biden are making to ensure that healthcare professionals receive much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE). Bonnie Castillo, the executive director of National Nurses United (NNU), shared that Harris informed Thompson about plans to fully utilize the Defense Production Act to boost PPE production, which is crucial for the safety of nurses and their patients.
In a clip shared by Castillo, Thompson expressed her gratitude for the call, while Harris acknowledged the immense personal sacrifice and energy that nurses contribute to their work. The Vice President-elect also highlighted Thompson’s dedication to her patients, stating, “I’ve been reading about you and all that you do in service of so many people.”
Challenges Faced by Nurses
Thompson has been an advocate for better PPE access, and during her testimony before the House Oversight Committee, she revealed the challenges nurses face due to insufficient protective gear. She emphasized the fear of exposure to the virus and the lengths to which she has to go to ensure her safety at home. “When I get home, I live in fear of contracting the virus,” Thompson said, explaining how she has to handle her scrubs carefully to avoid bringing the virus into her home.
Following the call, NNU released a statement reflecting on Thompson’s experiences, noting that many nurses have had to purchase their own PPE due to inadequate supplies from hospitals. They compared this situation to sending soldiers into battle without the necessary equipment, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
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Conclusion
In summary, Kamala Harris reached out to a dedicated Chicago nurse on Thanksgiving, expressing gratitude for her contributions during the pandemic and discussing plans to improve PPE availability for frontline workers. The conversation shed light on the critical challenges nurses face and the importance of support and advocacy in healthcare.