A collection of rocks painted as health care workers wearing blue surgical face masks and colourful caps. The rocks are sitting in a line on a piece of driftwood with forget-me-not flowers in the background.
Rocks painted by author, Gill McCulloch, in honour of hospital workers during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Hospital Workers

In case I get COVID-19 and end up in your hospital, I want to thank you now, as I may not get a chance later

Gill McCulloch
3 min readApr 21, 2020

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My paramedic friends tell me that COVID-19 can strike suddenly. One day you’re OK; the next day, you’re in an ambulance racing to the hospital with lights and sirens. In case this happens to me, there are a few things I want to say.

Like most people, I’m taking precautions to avoid contracting the virus. I listen to reports from health authorities and try to navigate the sometimes confusing and ever-changing guidelines as well as using my common sense.

I’m practicing physical distancing, hand washing, sanitizing and many other measures. I’ve closed my business and am managing on a reduced income. Along with my business friends, choir, book club, and family members, I’m becoming accustomed to meeting on Zoom.

Despite these precautions, there’s still a chance I might get the virus. If I’m too sick to tell you later, I want to say:

Thank you for being there and looking after me in my time of need.

Thank you for enduring uncomfortable working conditions every day.

Thank you for sometimes going hungry and thirsty because you don’t have time to take a break.

Thank you for sacrificing time with your family and putting your own life at risk to save mine.

I’ve seen exhaustion and torment in your eyes. I know you’ve witnessed horrible things in your workplace. I feel sad when I hear that some people shun you, worried they’ll catch the virus from you because of where you work.

I know you sometimes have sore patches on your face and behind your ears, from the masks, you’re required to wear. I understand your salary may not seem worth the risks you are taking.

I don’t want to end up being a patient and add to your workload. I, therefore, pledge to take my responsibilities seriously and do everything I can to stay out of your hospital. Meanwhile, at 7 pm every evening, I’ll be out with my neighbors, banging pots and honking car horns for you. I hope you can hear us and that you find our crazy noise-making encouraging.

Two more things

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Gill McCulloch
Live Your Life On Purpose

I write about subjects and events that move me deeply and situations that make me laugh. Founder, Safe + Sound First Aid Training Ltd. gillnmcculloch@gmail.com