Drivers are Frontliners Too
I have been working as a driver for several years. And like other drivers, I was at first hesitant to take COVID trips because of the impression that doing so would put me at risk. But somehow, this has changed. Now, I am thankful and proud to be a COVID driver.
It was around April or May this year when I watched a viral video of a COVID-19 patient who walked seven kilometers just to reach a hospital. The elderly man had coronavirus symptoms and there was nobody willing to take him to the hospital. He and his loved ones who lived in another city had no access to transportation. Alone, desperate, and feeling unwell, the man decided to walk to the hospital from his home just to get himself admitted. Exhausted, he almost passed out.
I barely knew this man. But somehow, this incident made me realize the significant impact of transportation on a person’s access to healthcare services. It was at that moment when I felt the urge to accept COVID trips. I know that some drivers would not take this responsibility because of the health risks that it poses. But as a Medstar driver, I always feel safe and reassured as we follow the CDC guidelines and safety protocols.
Since March, Medstar has successfully done over 14,000 COVID trips--and most of these are people with mild or without symptoms or PUIs with unconfirmed cases. We follow a preparedness and transport strategies checklist and we wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs). Our vehicles are regularly cleaned, all surfaces are disinfected, and PPEs are properly disposed of. None of us has contracted the virus.
As a Medstar driver, I can say that a deep sense of fulfillment has replaced fear, every time I take COVID trips. I always feel safe and happy whenever I drive passengers from their homes to hospitals or testing centers. These clients would often smile, give out a sigh of relief, or simply express their gratitude--and these simple gestures (and of course, the additional pay for each trip) have made me appreciate my job.