Jan. 26, 2021 — We have Cardie Candace Sklarz to thank for inspiring this powerful new card dedicated to “the countless angels on Earth fighting Covid.” One of the most prolific Cardies we know, it’s been nine long months since Candace emailed to say, “As a healthcare worker, I just wanted to share that your cards are getting me through this crisis. The joy they bring is beyond measure and it brings me solace and peace to share my heartfelt thanks. Stay safe! Cardie Candace” (Amazing that she’d spend limited time and energy expressing gratitude, but then that’s a caring Cardie for you!)

It was Contributing Cardie Jenni Betz who last week wrote us with perspective on the emotional state of healthcare workers based on her love for two nurses in her own life, husband Andy and sister Kate. “We’ve seen that — while they are certainly experts at keeping folks physically well — current circumstances make it harder for healthcare workers to keep themselves emotionally healthy,” Jenni shared.

“Kate has had a respite being home with her new baby this winter, but she’s already worried about going back to work soon, at a peak infection point. We took a walk together today and I think fresh air, moving her body and a subscription to Hello Fresh have all helped with both baby and pandemic stress.

“Because Andy’s doing some teaching from home,” Jenni said, “I’ve heard him talking to students who are learning to become nurses in this mess. He assures them that it’s not always this hard and recommends that — rather than the extra hospital shifts many are tempted to take on — they do things like take a yoga class that also serves as self-care.

ALT="Frontline healthcare worker Nurse Jim Betz with his grampa"

Andy with his beloved Grandpa Jim Betz who, at 94, left us last November. “A man whose spirit will be missed … but never missing.” Jenni Betz

“What’s most interesting to me,” Jenni wrote, “is how healthcare workers go so far ABOVE and BEYOND caring for patients. Andy shared with me that, soon after one of their Covid patients recovered, she turned 105. A staff nurse collected 105 cards from colleagues and delivered them to the lady, who declared she’ll open them one day at a time.

“Kate told me how a good friend of ours — also an advance practice nurse on the Covid floor for months now — cared for an elderly gentleman. While being admitted, he was so concerned about his dog being left alone that our friend and fellow nurses went and got ‘Betsy’ and promised to care for her while the man was hospitalized. While they were glad to have been able to bring Betsy to his bedside several times, sadly, the man died. After learning his family was not interested in having a dog, the nurse’s family made Betsy one of their own!

“The nurses I know are like Swiss Army knives,” Jenni says, “finding eleventy ways to try to spare a life. While that’s not new since the pandemic, years from now many of us will still be sharing stories of courageous frontline workers who saved us during the Covid crisis. And I love the new card to honor them!!!”