Begley Urges Public to Use COVID Safety Practices During Holidays

Robyn Begley, AONL CEO and American Hospital Association senior vice president and chief nursing officer, urged the public to thank health care heroes this holiday season by wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Writing in Fierce Healthcare, she noted although clinicians have tirelessly battled the virus, the nation is now seeing a reversal in the progress made. “Over the past two weeks, our average rate of daily COVID-19 cases has increased by 81%—a devastating trend in a country that already has the highest cases and death toll in the world,” Begley writes. At the same time, health care staff is experiencing burnout and it is harder to find travel clinicians to fill vacancies. “We need to show our appreciation to our health care heroes and the love we have for our family and friends by wearing a mask and avoiding large family gatherings. . . making these sacrifices now will help us get this virus under control” so that holidays next year—with a vaccine in use--can be celebrated with families and friends. (Fierce Healthcare column, 11/24/20)