I work in Health Care. I am not a Nurse or Doctor. I too believe they aren't heroes. I do not work in direct patient care. I am not a hero, first responder, nor do I believe in essential pay. Three of my co-workers got laid off for a week. I am happy I still have a job.

All the ones I know agree that they aren’t.

I don’t know anyone in my profession that views them self as a hero either.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:

quote:

Originally posted by LBTRS:
I work in a healthcare facility and we're essential to care for the patients here. The only thing that I'm going to add is that I am really surprised by how many of our "heroes" bailed at the first sign of trouble.

Everyone was happy to collect a paycheck and come to work every day when all the patients were relatively healthy. The minute we had to deal with COVID-19 dozens quit and the ones that stayed started making demands for "hazard pay". We can't hire anyone to replace those who quit because everyone else is happy to sit at home and collect fat unemployment benefits and wait out the pandemic.

I know it is a generalization but I lost a lot of the respect I held for healthcare workers once this crisis got going.

My three decade military career didn't prepare me for healthcare workers to walk out when things got tough or the first sign of danger to ones self. It caught me off guard for sure as I was expecting everyone to "do their duty". My boss informed me that my expectations were WAY too high.

I can't count how many Nurses and CNA's that have come to me and said "I'm going to take a leave of absence until this blows over" to which I respond, you're essential and your request for a LOA is denied.

That reminds me of the reservist called to active duty during the first Gulf War and later. Some were complaining about having to go to war. They were fine getting paid to be weekend warriors up until they had to be put into action.

Dude, we had one of those jackwagons in our squadron, and E-8 no less. Between Mumbai (geographically) and Diego Garcia he decided he had previously undiagnosed migraines. Flew him of to D-Gar. Good riddance.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
That reminds me of the reservist called to active duty during the first Gulf War and later. Some were complaining about having to go to war. They were fine getting paid to be weekend warriors up until they had to be put into action.

And, the 2nd Gulf War, too. Didn't some of them write to their mommies crying that they didn't get enough diapers, or some such shit?

No. In my world there are very few heroes...that is what makes them special.

quote:

Originally posted by mrmn50:
Please understand from the git, that this is not a denigration of those fine, brave, well educated people
who are certainly filled with courage and have incredible fortitude mentally to be dealing with the fear and suffering they are seeing.
But, do I think that they are heroes? No, I don't. They are doing their jobs just like and as well as they always do pretty much a) of the time.
I just cannot call heroic engaging in a dangerous situation where the odds of survival are over 98%.
But, it really may just be God's wish.. These people face far more scary stuff all year long and hardly get a mention mention. So maybe I am wrong maybe there is a thing like ' poetic reward' just like there is poetic justice.
Maybe being called heroes is just fine and certainly deserved for their full body of work.

Not trying to ruffle feathers but just wondering about your logic.

There's 1.3 million people in the armed forces. Since 9/11, under 7000 service members have been killed. That's a .5% mortality rate. You have a 99.5% chance of not being killed in combat.

I don't think anyone says the military aren't heroes.

Real, imagined, factual or contrived. Forget what your opinion of this matter.

On the front lines, please please believe me,.. in early March, we believed it could be quite dangerous to our staff. And there was significant fear. And yet, there was GREAT bravery facing the call of duty.

And those few places hit very hard, there are some incredible stories of care in horrendous situations.

Why seek to diminish?

The plumber is my hero !

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
Why seek to diminish?

Nobody is diminishing anything.

One of my ever-increasing list of aggravations...the over use of the word "hero".

We now live in a world in which someone who is fighting a battle with a cancer or other deadly disease is now a "hero"... and the label is applied equally whether they survive or not. Murder victims instantly reach the status the moment their loved ones find a camera or microphone, or when a politician can find a reason to exploit their death. Truck drivers are now "heroes" for driving. Pro athletes become "heroes" for nothing more than a spectacular play or series of plays, perhaps over a career. Our governor recently recognized teachers as "heroes" because they now get to teach from home in their pajamas and had to learn how to use some technology to do it.

I have no problem being grateful, thankful, for those who do critical jobs, and make our lives safer and more comfortable, and I'll celebrate the bravery or strength of those who have truly displayed such qualities, and I will both mourn and celebrate the lives lost...

...but the over use of the word "hero" serves to only diminish and dilute its meaning and impact, and diminishes the actions of those who truly deserve to be recognized as a hero.

As far as I'm concerned, the word "hero" should be used sparingly, deliberatively...it should be an uncommon word, reserved for uncommon bravery in action, at great personal risk or loss, in the service of the greater good of others.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
And there was significant fear. And yet, there was GREAT bravery facing the call of duty.

When were you drafted into the Medical Service? You know the letter: "From the Surgeon General of the United States. Greetings..."

Which medical boot camp were you required to report?


In the United States, indivduals choose their profession. If you don't want to be around sick people, don't become a healthcare worker. It comes with the territory, and anyone not bright enough to realize that if you work in a hospital, your office fills up with sick people during an epidemic probably couldn't pass the nursing exam anyway.

Once again, it is hardwired into the human psyche- this need to create heroes in our culture and in our personal lives. For years in this forum, I've been pointing out how we as a society have made the word 'hero' almost meaningless, and now, we have reached a fever pitch, pun intended.

quote:

My three decade military career didn't prepare me for healthcare workers to walk out when things got tough or the first sign of danger to ones self. It caught me off guard for sure as I was expecting everyone to "do their duty". My boss informed me that my expectations were WAY too high.I can't count how many Nurses and CNA's that have come to me and said "I'm going to take a leave of absence until this blows over" to which I respond, you're essential and your request for a LOA is denied.

Wow....how can expectations of someone doing there job be considered "way too high"? I have lots of respect for the job doctors and nurses and emts perform, especially with this virus, but as has been pointed out...this is the job they chose. If they are going to cut out like some you mentioned, then they need to find other employment.
"Hero" is a word thrown around way, way too much these days and should not be used so casually and certainly not for doing a job you are supposed to do.

While I agree the hero moniker is a bit much, and those of us in healthcare “signed up for this” the same can be said for law enforcement corrections fire and military. I greatly respect all these professions. I go to work, see my patients do my job no biggie.
Heroics require beyond job descriptions effort in extraordinary circumstances. I certainly don’t qualify now nor did I in 25 years in military uniform.

I sometimes feel like a hero when I muster the courage and internal fortitude it takes to not punch some of these dimwits I treat on a daily basis right in the throat. Frankly I feel like I should get a medal

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
While I agree the hero moniker is a bit much, and those of us in healthcare “signed up for this” the same can be said for law enforcement corrections fire and military.

When you walk up to the side of a patient's bed, what are the odds that they're going to shoot you dead and then flee? What are the odds that the floor is going to give way and you will fall into the floor below, become trapped and burn alive? What chances are there that you will face an L-shaped ambush in the hospital cafeteria and you and your entire unit are massacred?

There is a line- let's call it the Big Brass Balls line. Healthcare workers are not on the same side of that line as police, fire or military personnel. It's not a dig, just the truth.

Doctors, nurses, and similar were always on my list of underappreciated professions. Seems that some professions like to constantly seek out attention while others who do really great things operate in the background. The medical community was always pretty quiet. Until Wuhan.

Now I see talk of student loan forgiveness, signs all over the place, air shows overhead, etc, etc. Just do your job and shut up.

Most every job in this nation is vital. If it weren't it wouldn't exist. We need plumbers, engineers, miners, factory workers, electricians, salesmen, truck drivers, shelf stockers, etc, etc. If you can't do the job you signed up for, find another. Nobody is forcing you to work at gunpoint.

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
While I agree the hero moniker is a bit much, and those of us in healthcare “signed up for this” the same can be said for law enforcement corrections fire and military. I greatly respect all these professions. I go to work, see my patients do my job no biggie.
Heroics require beyond job descriptions effort in extraordinary circumstances. I certainly don’t qualify now nor did I in 25 years in military uniform.

The difference being that you, law enforcement, fire, and corrections can walk away and quit anytime you don't want to do something or if you don't want to be a hero. You always have the option.

The military doesn't have the option to quit or walk away if you don't want to do something or if you don't want to do your job. Often times becoming a hero is forced upon you in the military.

What I'm seeing in my civilian healthcare position was NEVER seen during my 26 year military career. Dozens and dozens of healthcare workers walking out, not showing up, requesting a LOA, etc. because they have to treat a covid-19 patient.

There are many doing great things and thanks to each of them for doing their job. Unfortunately there is a large group that are an embarrassment to be associated with.

About ten years ago I was behind a plumbing truck that is used to pump out restaurant grease traps. The logo read "Plumbers responsible for the health of a nation." It is true, and like Frank said most of the jobs in this country are essential.

quote:

Originally posted by LBTRS:

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
While I agree the hero moniker is a bit much, and those of us in healthcare “signed up for this” the same can be said for law enforcement corrections fire and military. I greatly respect all these professions. I go to work, see my patients do my job no biggie.
Heroics require beyond job descriptions effort in extraordinary circumstances. I certainly don’t qualify now nor did I in 25 years in military uniform.

The difference being that you, law enforcement, fire, and corrections can walk away and quit anytime you don't want to do something or if you don't want to be a hero. You always have the option.

The military doesn't have the option to quit or walk away if you don't want to do something or if you don't want to do your job. Often times becoming a hero is forced upon you in the military.

What I'm seeing in my civilian healthcare position was NEVER seen during my 26 year military career. Dozens and dozens of healthcare workers walking out, not showing up, requesting a LOA, etc. because they have to treat a covid-19 patient.

There are many doing great things and thanks to each of them for doing their job. Unfortunately there is a large group that are an embarrassment to be associated with.

where the hell do you work Coward Regional? around here nurses and staff are fighting tooth and nail for hours as they have all been cut to part time. Doctors, NP's, and PA's as well but no one cares about us (cause we make too much.) Some of our nurses (ER and ICU) were loaned out to NY and NJ to help relieve some of the local staff. They aren't even getting an added money just guaranteed hours by their current employer.

quote:

What I'm seeing in my civilian healthcare position was NEVER seen during my 26 year military career. Dozens and dozens of healthcare workers walking out, not showing up, requesting a LOA, etc. because they have to treat a covid-19 patient.

^^^^^^^^^
I have seen little of that around here. Sad to hear. You get people like that in every profession. I think you now have a list of people who you do not want in healthcare.

Just saw Dusty' Post. Haaha Coward Regional