It turns out that respect for public service professionals and healthcare workers is the foundation of societal relationships. The social initiative “We, In Solidarity” is an idea to create a medical personnel card — the systematic support of doctors, nurses, EMTs, and medical and technical staff together with their families.
We must create a program based on systematic applied solutions (such as the one regarding military veterans, for example). Polish healthcare workers — heroically fighting the coronavirus — are today’s warriors, sent on a combat mission by the government of the Republic of Poland. They deserve no less support than soldiers fighting in wars. The situation which we are experiencing is a war — not just metaphorically — of life and death. All those on duty in the front line should be ensured help.
The state, for example, has at its disposal a network of sanitariums, can organize additional psychological help or engage veteran medical personnel in pro-health educational activities in the fight with COVID-19 (taking advantage of their priceless knowledge, experience and authority). Companies can offer discounts on their products and services, and local governments can facilitate access to transport, culture and sports activities.
- The whole [initiative] would be an important gesture of solidarity, fastening into the legal framework all the spontaneous aid actions, of which we were witnesses in the first instance with healthcare system employees who wrestle with the pandemic every day. - says Karol Recznik, Work Coordinator at the IICS Analysis Center.
We underestimate the scale of the desolation and destruction in the spirits of medical personnel and are disregarding the future consequences of COVID-19. There is no doubt that the scale of experiences that we’re going through can lead to trauma which is characterized by a deep societal mistrust (deeper than now), pessimism, apathy (a lack of engagement), as well as the search for scapegoats.
- The initiative is thus a lifesaver for all of us, not necessarily just those on the front line, so that we don’t kill ourselves. - says Konrad Ciesiołkiewicz, President of the Commitee for Social Dialogue.
In June of this year the IICS Analysis Center and the Committee for Social Dialogue of the National Chamber of Commerce, with the participation of eminent experts, organized a consultative debate to hear from the most competent people on this issue (which today is the most important one for healthcare employees). We encourage you to get acquainted with a publication that is a record of activities surrounding the initiative up to now, with the hope that the idea “We, In Solidarity” will find the widest group of recipients and allies.
