A NURSE in one of Ireland’s busiest hospitals has told how the nation’s efforts to battle Covid-19 is like a replay of Italia 90.
Moira Craig, 41, a clinical nurse manager in Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital’s emergency department, puts her life at risk every day to protect and care for patients amid the global pandemic.
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While Moira admits nurses are brave to put their lives on the line for others, she insists the Irish public are the real heroes for staying home.
She said: “I’m working with an amazing team, but the whole country has been like a team. I feel like we’ve taken this on, like we took on the football in Italia 90.
“That’s the way this feels to me. This little country can achieve anything — and that’s how I feel this is going. We’ve only managed to get here because we’ve all stuck together.
“I want to say thank you to the public for that as well as the support.”
HIGH RISKS
While efforts have been made to show appreciation for nurses and frontline workers around the country, Moira admits they are facing a major battle to keep the virus under control.
She said: “We’re seeing things that we’ve never seen before. We’re seeing people who are normally fit and well be incredibly sick. We are seeing people who are getting well, and then those who don’t get well and unfortunately pass away.
“The unknown is the hardest part about all this.”
Nurses are high risk for mental health issues due to the nature of their work. And Moira told how the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has offered huge support to nurses.
She said: “In Beaumont, they set up a care programme and there is ongoing counselling around most hospitals in the country.
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“The INMO has a dedicated helpline for nurses as well. They’ve been very good advertising these services and reminding us that we have to look after ourselves.”
Yesterday marked International Nurses Day, with 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.
Moira said: “It’s particularly difficult right now, but when I go into work, and I either help people get better or I give them dignity when they pass away, I know there is nothing I would rather be doing.”