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THURSDAY, APR IL 30, 2020 • KOKOMO TR IBUNE / PHAROS-TR IBUNE
GREENSHOOT MEDIA CONTENT
J
anitors, technicians and food
service staff are just a few
examples of the people working
behind the scenes of the coronavirus
pandemic.
Hospitals around the nation are
staying functional and open in part
because of these frequently overlooked
groups of people.
CLEANING STAFF
Dusting, sweeping, mopping and
changing out bed sheets are all normal
duties of hospital janitorial person-
nel. However, with the outbreak of
COVID-19 in America, hospital main-
tenance and cleaning crews have had to
step up their game.
An important part of their job is san-
itizing every surface in every room the
staff visits, and these workers are rising
to the occasion.
Hospital housekeepers risk infection
every time they walk into a patient’s
room, whether that patient shows
symptoms of the virus or not. Keeping
a hospital clean and functional is no
easy task and these professionals are
keeping up with admirable persis-
tence.
MAINTENANCE WORKERS
The technicians who keep respira-
tors and other essential equipment
functional are also indispensable.
Machines that provide life-giving air
to those suffering are in high demand,
so the technicians who maintain them
are of utmost importance.
The workers who specialize in other
systems in hospitals are also doing
their part to fight this illness. They
keep the lights on, the water running,
the heaters and air conditioners func-
tioning at their optimal levels and the
hospital grounds up to a high standard.
TECHNICIANS
AND THERAPISTS
While COVID-19 is showing up
everywhere in America, there are
patients who are in the hospital for
other reasons.
Patients still need physical therapy,
dialysis treatments, and other life-
saving procedures.
Technicians and therapists continue
to carry out and perform invalu-
able services for their patients while
risking exposure to the disease. While
it’s true elective procedures are on
hold at many hospitals, there are many
patients who benefit greatly from
therapy services.
The technicians and therapists
who offer those treatments are still
showing up every day and helping
those who need it.
They’re also playing a key role in
making patients strong and capable
enough to safely leave the hospital,
making more beds available when they
might be needed the most.
FOOD SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Most hospitals across America have
shut down their public cafeterias. Pre-
venting the spread of the coronavirus
this way is very important by keeping
people from congregating in public
eating areas.
However, hospital food services
continue to feed and nourish patients
under their care. Hospital patients
need to eat, and someone has to
prepare those meals.
Food service in hospitals continues
without a hitch, delivering meals to
patients throughout the day. It’s a mark
of kindness and bravery on the part of
all those who continue to provide nutri-
tional meals and do so with a smile.
Keeping the spirits up of those who
fight off COVID-19 is a rare gift.
SUPPORT STAFF
Critical workers are behind the scenes but on the front lines
Photo provided
