Healthcare employees at San Mateo Medical Center were honored on Monday for the work they’ve done during the pandemic, on the two year anniversary of the hospital's first COVID-19 case.
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More than 12 patrol cars and police officers lined up in front of the medical center with their lights flashing, while other people stood holding signs, one of which read, "We love our healthcare workers."
Bay Area Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who represents the hospital's district, attended the show of support and handed out roses to nurses during their shift change.
"We can't say enough and thank them enough because it’s worn us down over the last two years," she told KCBS Radio. "We forget that these people, these healthcare workers have been doing it day in, day out for two years."
"Two years later they are still providing extraordinary service, saving lives, helping COVID patients recover," she added.
Speier said there are still two people at the hospital right now being treated for COVID-19.
Speier and others attending the event hoped to convey appreciation to workers who have carried a heavy emotional burden over the past 24 months. During the pandemic, one in five Bay Area workers have left the medical profession, citing burnout and stress.
"Burnout is real. It's happened. It's happening. And it probably will continue to happen," a San Mateo Medical Center nurse Laarni San Juan told KCBS Radio. "But I think as long as we fill each other with appreciation and smile and love and really overall just gratitude... we can address burnout. But it’s real."
"This has really been us stepping up to the calling we've all chose to do as a nurse. This has been one of the biggest challenges of my career," she explained.
From doctors to medical assistants, healthcare workers who saw Monday's show of gratitude expressed that the gesture means everything to them.
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