“While everyone is worried about family, friends, and cases in the community, we ignore a very high risk and vulnerable group,” says Jagdish Khubchandani, a Ball State University health science professor. “Studies have consistently shown that healthcare workers frequently work long hours, don’t practice self-care, lack on hygienic practices, and work while being sick. “Today, with coronavirus, there are additional challenges such as changing protocol, greater number of emergencies, shortage of medical supplies, and lack of preventive testing and protective equipment. Healthcare workers are at the frontline and often neglected during such times.”  Some key tips for healthcare workers:

• Practice self-care with good diet, daily exercise, enough sleep, and adding more protein and vitamins to diet.

• Hand washing is better than hand sanitizers. Or, practice both. Relying on hand sanitizers where optimum quantity is not used, or quality of sanitizers can be questioned, is not a good practice. Soap and water are highly recommended compared to casual use of sanitizers

• Avoid personal contact with clients or patients as much as possible. Healthcare workers frequently shake hands, exchange greetings and hugs with clients who may do it out of affection or gratitude- a distant thank you is ok at this time.

• Ensure that your facility is following best practices for infection control. It is appropriate now to educate colleagues and your managers, even if they are superiors or higher in chain of command (studies also show that most educated in healthcare professions could be least likely to practice personal hygiene).