How the World Is Supporting Healthcare Workers (And How You Can Too)

The healthcare workers at the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic are true heroes. They sacrifice so much for the community as they put themselves at risk to care for those infected with the novel virus. So let’s take care of them as they care for our neighbors and loved ones.

Here are a few ways the world has shared their appreciation for nurses, doctors, and hospital staff and how you can support care providers in your hometown and around the globe.

Special Promotions to Support Healthcare Workers

Local businesses are offering discounted (or even free) services — like childcare, pet boarding, and lodging — to healthcare providers directly. But you don’t have to own a business to get involved in this respect. Many brands are currently having promotions with a charitable twist.

Allbirds is running a donation bundle promotion that allows purchasers to supply a pair of comfy shoes to a member of the healthcare community. Airbnb is partnering with their host community and medical nonprofits to provide convenient housing for healthcare professionals and first responders. We encourage you to find out how your favorite brands are getting involved!

Meal Donations to COVID-19 Frontline Staff

Food donations for our team keep pouring in! We are forever grateful to our local restaurants for their love and support during this time.

If you're looking to help feed your local care teams, call the clinic or hospital in advance to ask if they can receive large meal, snack, or coffee deliveries. If so, you can organize a donation potluck. Round up a group of friends to electronically gather monetary donations. Using this "donation potluck" of funds, one member of the group can place an order with a local restaurant and have it delivered to the facility.

Sewing Face Masks and Sponsoring Supplies

Large fashion brands around the world are switching production to personal protective equipment. JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores are donating fabric and teaching people how to sew face masks to protect medical personnel. But if you don’t have a sewing machine (or own a fashion label), you can support official organizations that donate these essential supplies. These nonprofits include the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Direct Relief.

We also encourage you to support local efforts through the St. Luke’s Foundation and global resources like the International Medical Corps and the World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

Stay at Home to Flatten the Curve

And last, but certainly not least, stay home and follow the protective measures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your local government, especially if they have issued an order to stay home. Be sure to practice social distancing and know how to respond if you start experiencing concerning symptoms.

These are just a few of the ways you can support healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Thank you for taking action during this time; your generosity reminds all of us at St. Luke’s Health that we’ll get through this together.