It is hard to imagine the stress and fear nurses face every day while caring for COVID-19 patients. It is even harder to imagine that someone would commit an act of vandalism in the parking lot of a hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. However, a group of nurses at New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital in Cortlandt came out to find their tires slashed following their shift on April 11, 2020. (1)
22 Cars With Slashed Tires
According to police, they found 22 cars with slashed tires in the parking lot of the hospital. Hospital officials expressed their distaste for the crime. “We were shocked to hear of this incident, especially at this time when our employees are working tirelessly and courageously through the COVID-19 pandemic,” hospital officials said in a statement. (1)
29-Year Old Arrested For Slashed Tires
Following the incident, police arrested Daniel R. Hall, 29. Hall had a small amount of PCP when arrested. He will be charged with criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance. His court date is May 18, 2020. (1)
Gratitude For Hospital Workers
The night before the incident, dozens of local police officers and firefighters gathered outside the hospital to applaud the health care workers for their efforts. “What our hospital is focusing on today is the beautiful tribute given by our first responders last night,” the hospital statement said. The hospital will also foot the bill to cover the damages for their staffs’ tires. (1)
People Keeping Towns Alive
Firefighters, EMT workers, police, pharmacists and an endless list of essential health service employees work tirelessly and under great stress to assist those stricken by the coronavirus. We can’t forget all the others who are keeping our cities and towns operational and fed such as postal employees, grocery store workers, restaurant workers, truck drivers, sanitation workers, local delivery people, border guards, public transit workers, warehouse workers, and the list goes on. (1, 2)
Giving Thanks Around The World
New Yorkers created the hashtag #ClapBecauseWeCare so everyone can celebrate the efforts of the city’s heroes. However, people around the world have gone to great lengths to show their gratitude to front line health workers. This is a testament to the good in all of us. We need to focus on the strength in people during these trying times and there are plenty of examples to consider. (2)
Italy Started The Trend
Italy, one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, was the first country to send messages of gratitude to health care workers en masse. People take to their balconies to sing and play instruments to not only show their thanks but also to reach out to each other. Countries including Spain, the U.K., and France have joined in the act, offering their own cheers at the same time each night. (2)
Join In The Support
Now that the virus has hit home, we have adopted our own ways to show our appreciation. Towns and cities throughout North America echo with the resounding cheers, whistling, and clanging of pots and pans in the early hours of the evening. In my town, people have placed signs on their lawns to honk to show appreciation. The streets are riddled with chalk messages written by neighbors to “hang in there.” A friend shared a picture taken outside her local hospital where children have left painted rocks in the garden to show their support. (2)
These messages remind us we are all in this together. Let’s not focus on the unfortunate actions of a few. Instead let’s recognize the love and caring the pandemic has brought out in our communities and remain committed to keeping ourselves and our neighbors safe and healthy. (2)
