That is so rough, especially since some healthcare workers are now among the dead: specifically, I saw that Li Wenliang had died.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/chinese-doctor-w...
The absolute definition of heroes. It blows my mind to imagine ever having that sort of selfless dedication to helping others. For all the crappy things in the world these days, it's stuff like this that gives me hope for humanity.
This was one of the most tragic things in that article.
The doctors, nurses, and health workers are the front line soldiers in this fight against the virus. And they don’t have the protective gear that they need to stay safe, and to keep the population safe, as well as the rest of the world.
I hope they can fight the infection, and survive, and live to fight another day. We need them!
Medical staff in Wuhan wear disposable protective overalls that are made of a thin layer of polypropylene (as intended so it would be light and cheap) and easily torn. Thus it's necessary to avoid taking them on and off between shifts because the act will probably rip it beyond repair. Some also took the additional step of strapping plastic bags to their feet and forearm to protect against rupture. None of this would have been necessary if they had enough to go around.
* https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/lab-biosafety-...
* https://www.wm.edu/offices/sponsoredprograms/_documents/ppe_...
I’ve asked for clarifications and was told that yes, the outer layer is indeed disposable, but medical staff need to wear multiple layers of protection, and the dressing and removal processes do take an hour or more each.
I'm not an authority on the subject, but I was under the impression that those were soldiers and conscripts and they were ordered to go.
It's rather common to see our cultures honor fallen soldiers and regard them as the archetypal case of heroes. Being on duty has never been considered a limitation.