Essential workers stare directly into the face of COVID-19 on a daily basis and carry on, doing their job not only with diligence but with compassion. Healthcare professionals are real, live superheroes who truly deserve our thanks, and more, during this trying time and especially on Superheroes Day on April 28th.

Let these vital members of society know how much you value what they do and how important their roles are. Their selfless dedication to their profession is what helps keep you safe and healthy.

Ways to support healthcare professionals

What can you do to help? There are a lot of ways you can directly support the entire industry or someone you personally know who works in healthcare. 

The following ideas can help you make a difference in their lives and let them know their heroic efforts are appreciated. But don’t stop there. Use these ideas to come up with your own, even more meaningful ways to help.

1. PPE for nurses

Nurses and other healthcare workers simply do not have the amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) that they need to be as safe as they can be while doing their job. 

Face masks are just one example of PPEs that are in crisis-level shortage, but they’re one that’s well-known by the public. While the outpouring of support with homemade masks is heartwarming, these masks are not up to the quality necessary to be considered true PPEs. The CDC recommends that homemade face masks only be used as a “last resort” when nothing else is available.

You can make a difference when it comes to there being ample face masks and other PPEs by signing Frontline PPE Now’s petition and telling Congress that this situation needs to be remedied.

You can also consider donating to charities that support healthcare workers and hospitals. Direct Relief is an organization that works directly with public health authorities and nonprofit organizations to provide PPE and essential medical items to health care workers responding to COVID-19 specifically. 

Additionally, there are also opportunities available that help to make sure hospital workers and medical personnel are being fed. Sweetgreen is an organization dedicated to ensuring those on the frontline have access to nutrition during this critical time. You can learn more and easily register your local health facility by filling out a quick form. 

2. Care package drop off

Do you have friends, family, or other people you know who work in the healthcare field? Do them a favor by dropping a care package off at their home. 

They probably don’t have the time or the energy to do a lot of shopping, so you can do it for them. Call in advance to see what they need or pick up some extras when you’re shopping. 

Just remember to keep your distance when dropping off supplies. Leave them at the door if you can so you can limit your personal contact.

3. Volunteer opportunities

Are you doing what you can to help out those in need? One organization that can always use your help, especially during times like this, is the Red Cross. 

There are many different ways you can help the Red Cross, from delivering supplies to donating blood. Check with your local branch to see what they need most. If you don’t want to risk leaving your home, financial donations are always appreciated.

4. Say thanks

Make a point to thank everyone you know who works in the healthcare field. Reach out to them, even if you don’t regularly speak, and let them know that what they do matters, and it’s appreciated.

An easy way you can do this is to use your social media platforms as a way to reach out to large communities. You can create a relevant hashtag to make sure to add your voice to the growing support across the globe. A kind word can change someone’s entire day. The benefits of gratitude are well-known and shouldn’t be neglected.

5. Stay home

It might not seem like a direct way to acknowledge or help healthcare professionals, but just by staying home, you’re helping to flatten the curve and not only protect yourself but protect others as well. This simple act has an exponential benefit. 

Remember that the goal of flattening the curve is to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system to the point that they can’t help the large number of people who need help. By staying home, you help keep the healthcare system at a level where it can still function, and people can be helped. It also reduces the physical and emotional burden of healthcare workers.

Hair La Vie is donating to Feeding America

Being part of a community is one of the most significant steps you can take to show your support of the work others do and to make a difference. Whether your community is large or small, being an active member of that group draws people together and proves that there is power in community.

Hair La Vie is doing its part to contribute by donating a portion of the proceeds from every order of our products to Feeding America. Our initial contribution of 25,000 meals to this organization goes to families across the United States who don’t have reliable access to nutritious food during this time. 

In addition to our efforts to help those in need, we are also committed to our customers, employees, and the global community. Following safety guidelines and updating our process to ensure health and safety is one of our top priorities, and we are adapting to the changing environment as necessary.

Final thoughts

The people on the front lines of this healthcare predicament really deserve our thanks and so much more. You can make a difference by reaching out to people you know who work in healthcare, and thank them personally or offer to help bring them supplies. You can sign a petition to try to force Congress to get them the PPE they so desperately need. You can also see if there are volunteer opportunities in your community or with your local Red Cross.

One of the most important steps you can take to help the healthcare system, your health, and the health of your family is to stay home. Flattening the curve is about slowing the spread to the point where healthcare providers can get back to helping everyone in need of care. 

Hair La Vie wants to stress that while we’re committed to actively helping Feeding America supply people in need with nutritious meals, we’re also concerned about your health, the health of our employees, and our community at large. We’re doing what we can to continue to provide you with the quality products you want in a manner that complies with CDC guidelines. We’re all in this together.