SVG retired nurses salute nurses
on the COVID-19 frontline
BY NELSON A. KING
In recognition of Nurses’
Week, the St. Vincent and the
Grenadines Retired Nurses Association
(SVGRNA) is saluting
nurses in St. Vincent and
the Grenadines and around the
world who are on the frontlines
of the battle against the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19).
Nurses Week is celebrated
around the world from May 6
– 12, with the commemoration
of International Nurses Day on
May 12.
In recognition of Nurses’
Week, the St. Vincent and the
Grenadines Retired Nurses Association
(SVGRNA) is saluting
nurses in St. Vincent and
the Grenadines and around the
world who are on the frontlines
of the battle against the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19).
Nurses Week is celebrated
around the world from May 6
– 12, with the commemoration
of International Nurses Day on
May 12.
She also said that “it is important
to remember that the
practices and guidelines that
modern nursing practice follow
today is due to Nightengale’s
“dedicated work,” stating
that the practice of regular
hand-washing that is widely
recommended to help stop the
spread of the coronavirus today
was “implemented and rigorously
promoted” by Nightengale
“as a means to reduce the
spread of infection.”
“When the International
Council of Nurses in collaboration
with the World Health
Organization launched the
‘Nursing Now’ campaign, and
designated the year 2020 as the
year of the nurse and midwife,
no one realized how meaningful
this would become, as the
COVID-19 pandemic was not
on the horizon.,” said Providence,
a former president of
the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent
and the Grenadines Nurses Association
of New York, Inc.
“We became aware of it
some time in February; and,
since then, it has swiftly and
aggressively taken over the
world, becoming the fi rst pandemic
in most people’s lifetime,
killing thousands and
seriously impacting the nurses
on the frontlines,” she added.
As the novel coronavirus
ravages the world, she said
many nurses fi nd themselves
on the frontlines of this “war”,
Back row, from left: Joan Mayers, Ann DeRoche and Anita Williams Front row, from left: Zeitha Hadaway, Advira Providence (President) and Clari
Gilbert. Photo courtesy of Joan Mayers
“being involved in testing of
persons, contact tracing, working
in Isolation, Intensive Care
Units, and Nursing Homes,
bringing them in direct contact
with persons affected with
the virus. The risk is great!”
Providence noted that
nurses leave their homes
and families for days or even
weeks, communicating with
their children and families via
Face Time, and other media,
stating that “sadly, some never
return to them.”
She said working as a nurse
“carries with it serious risks
that many overlooked, as they
moved towards the frontlines
with passion in their hearts,
exercising their calling to fi ght
this invisible enemy, COVID-19,
the novel corona virus.”
Providence said that the
risk of spreading this virus is
so high that family members
are not allowed to visit or be at
the bedside of their loved ones,
with many dying alone.
BRONX TIMES R 34 EPORTER, MAY 8-14, 2020 BTR
She said nurses are using
their phones to ensure family
members can contact their
loved ones to say goodbye.
“They are carrying out
their duties while holding
hands, praying with, singing
and comforting their patients,”
she said. “All this they
do while sometimes working
without the protective clothing
and equipment they need to be
safe.”
Providence said many
nurses and other healthcare
workers have lost their lives,
and that some fi nd themselves
in “the very heartbreaking position
of having to care for sick
and dying colleagues.”
“As they work together,
they do not know who will be
the next to fall victim to this
deadly virus,” she lamented.
But, despite this, she said
“nurses are answering the call
to be on the frontlines around
the world and many more far
from home.”
“As we commemorate this
week, we are reminded that we
are a profession that assumes
responsibility for the continuous
care of the sick, the injured,
the disabled and the dying,”
said Providence, adding
that “we take this responsibility
seriously.”
She said nursing is also responsible
for the promotion of
health in the communities, in
families and individuals.
“As retired nurses, we are
concerned for those on the
frontlines in SVG (St. Vincent
and the Grenadines) and elsewhere,”
Providence said. “To
all Vincentians, we are encouraging
you to adhere to the
recommendations of the National
COVID-19 Task Force.
“We are also asking you to
be your brothers’ and sisters’
keeper,” she added. “Look out
for your neighbors and those
in high risk categories – the
elderly, the sick, shut-ins, the
disabled and the non-compliant.
In addition, SVGRNA is
asking members of the public
to protect themselves, strongly
recommending that they wear
a mask when going out in public
and to maintain physical
distancing.
“Wash your hands with
soap and water, utilizing friction
for 20 seconds as advised,
and maintain social contacts
with friends and families via
telephone and other media,”
Providence urged. “Stay home
if you are able to, stay safe and
make things easier for the
nursing staff and other health
care personnel.
“We encourage all nursing
staff to remain calm and focused,
as we weather through
this COVID-19 pandemic,” she
added. “2020 is, indeed, the
year of the nurse.”