The week of March 9, 2020 started with all of the U.S. fairly aware of the ensuing situation regarding the Cornavirus, aka COVID-19. I do not believe that any of us could have been prepared for how the week would end…canceling of pro, college and high school athletics, shutting down of schools, restriction of flights, a heightened awareness of COVID-19 and a new found endearment for toilet paper.
The experts have told us all to stay home, separate ourselves from our regular sequence of daily living activities due to the now pandemic of COVID-19, in order to flatten the curve and decrease the number of new cases. However, social media has allowed us to stay connected, even with our physical separation. Many of us will still be able to “work” from home. But, some of us…will not. Some of us have be mandated to stay away from “our people”, our job, our passion for the unforeseeable future and that creates fear. Fear, according to Google, can be defined an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. Yep, I think COVID-19 has definitely caused fear for all of us on some level. But, my question or thought is to you…how can we, as healthcare providers, ease fear among those we stand next to, work with, have a voice for? If you work for an organization that has asked you not to go to your regular place of employment, have you considered widening your realm of healthcare capacity? There will be new opportunities for athletic trainers, because we will have the chance to be seen using our gifts for the masses in new areas of healthcare.
As we all endure this tumultuous time together through the unknowns, we have an opportunity for the world to see even greater value in us, as athletic trainers. I believe that athletic trainers, as a whole, have some of the highest levels of ethics and moral character available to our society. We believe in having a high level of moral principles of doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. Right now, athletic trainers have the opportunity to show the healthcare industry, honestly – the world, what we are the best at in this profession with our vast array of skill sets and they need us. Character is defined as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. TATS, that is us by profession, by position, by person.
“Don’t let your fear of what could happen make nothing happen” - Doe Zantamata
Racheal Lawler, PhD, LAT, ATC
Coordinator of Clinical Education
Master’s in Athletic Training Education
Lee University
Cleveland, TN