In this blog, I often point out deficiencies in the health care system.  Only by recognizing these deficiencies can we hope to improve the system.  It is important, however, to recognize that most doctors, nurses and associated providers are good people, doing their best, and providing us with the care we need when we are sick or helping to keep us from getting sick in the first place.

As everyone surely knows by now, we are in the midst of a health care crisis.  The COVID-19 virus is on the loose throughout the world and many people will die from it.  People who come into close contact with a coronavirus patient are at risk of contracting the disease.  Although coronaviruses are common, this one is new to us and we have little to no immunity to it.  The people on the front lines of treating this disease place themselves in harm’s way and deserve our thanks and support.

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If you have been following the news about COVID-19, you know that a Chinese doctor in Wuhan, who first spread the news about the new virus, was among its early victims and died.  Other doctors and health care providers, including nurses, hospital and clinic workers have been exposed and have fallen ill.  Although some have died, most have survived.

It is not very often that we think of doctors and nurses being in danger while doing their jobs.  When times are good, we see them in the office or in the hospital and everything seems fine.  However, like the members of our armed forces, they are ready to do their jobs, even when the stakes go up.  They are willing to expose themselves to dangerous illnesses in order to keep us healthy.

In times like this, it is especially important to say, “Thank you” and to let the medical profession know how much we appreciate what they do.