Protect medical professionals

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Protect medical professionals

Medical professionals are currently being seriously overworked. The doctors and nurses working with hundreds of people infected with the coronavirus (Covid-19) in Daegu and North Gyeongsang are suffering from fatigue. Others had to be removed after getting infected while treating others night and day. A nurse at a clinic in Daegu tested positive for the coronavirus and the others in the clinic had to be quarantined. Nurses at a hospital in North Gyeongsang collectively handed their resignations, saying they were overworked.

The battle with an epidemic cannot go on if hospitals lose their ground. People can fall more seriously ill or even die. The state must turn its attention to medical workers because our country is under their care.

The number of medical workers must be increased. Patients are growing by the hundreds every day. The government must make the most of all possible medical resources. The government has deployed 750 conscripts working at military hospitals to Daegu and North Gyeongsang. Nursing staff should also be added.

Doctors and nurses also require care and protection. They end up resting on hospital benches or on the floor due to a lack of space. The meals they are served in hospitals are meager. They could get sick from overworking and malnutrition. They should be provided with good food and resting places. Also, there needs to be special care for the children and families of medical staff. It is shameful that doctors and nurses are forced to care without decent protective wear. If resources are short, the government must get them from overseas.

Medical volunteers from across the country are rushing to virus-hit locations. Civilian power has always shined in Korea during times of crisis. The government should promise that they will be first to be treated if they get infected. Their devotion should not be taken for granted. They cannot stake their lives purely out of patriotism and professional commitment to patients. Society must respect and appreciate all medical workers and volunteers. The government must give them due credit.
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