As Italy is locked down after being declared the worse hit country for coronavirus in Europe, many of us forget the people working on the front line to treat those suffering with the potentially deadly virus.
One nurse posted an image of herself with a bruised face after wearing protective gear for hours on end, while another nurse was photographed slumped over her desk exhausted.
With the first case in Italy confirmed on February 21 in less than a month that figure has ballooned to 9,000 infections and more than 630 deaths, as reported by CNN on March 11.
The whole country is locked down as health workers struggle to cope.
Most of us can only imagine what it must be like for a health worker in Italy facing this level of sickness in unprecedented figures every day but this image brings the horror of the situation to life.
Could not drink or go to the bathroom
The nurse, Alessia Bonari, posted the picture showing her bruised face after wearing protective gear for hours during a shift in Milan.
In her post, she revealed how she could not drink or go to the bathroom for six hours after putting on her protective gear, according to a Daily Mail article.
Another nurse was pictured looking exhausted from working excessive hours slumped over her desk at a hospital in Cremona.
Alessia posted the image on social media saying she was frightened to go to work because of all the ways she could possibly catch the virus, which has infected more than 115,000 people worldwide.
Despite saying she’s “physically” and “psychologically” tired Alessia is warning people to do all they can to quarantine themselves and stay healthy.
‘Protect those who are most fragile’
“This will not prevent us from doing our job as we have always done. I will continue to take care of my patients because I am proud and love my job,” she wrote.
“What I ask anyone who is reading this post is not to frustrate the effort we are making, to be selfless, to stay at home and thus protect those who are most fragile.”
We salute you Alessia and thank you and your colleagues for working tirelessly on the front line helping to keep others healthy while risking your own health.
Please share to spread Alessia’s important message.