COMPASSION

That’s what Rescuers Without Borders is good at, among other things.

During normal times, here in Israel’s areas of conflict, we are at the ready when emergencies occur be it car accident or terror, heart attack or going into labor. We are there and we are sensitive.

NOW – in this time of massive change, we have needed to adjust just like you. No longer are we seen as your friendly neighborhood medic. Now, we appear suited and masked, almost like aliens. We are frightening. And we have noticed the reaction to the patients.

The massive Covid-19 tests we are administering to sections of the weaker population, institutes for disabled children, nursing homes, are counting on us to be thorough yet sensitive.

We saw their frightened reaction to our appearance, despite our smiles behind the masks. We feared for them. We were sympathetic to their fears and their crying.

So we devised a simple solution.

Instead of forcing the test – we allowed them to see us first, as friendly neighborhood medics, in our regular clothes.

Then, in clear view, we changed into our suits and masks. They watched. They understood we were those same friendly neighborhood medics, just with a “costume.” No longer were they afraid.

THIS IS A SCARY TIME FOR MANY, ESPECIALLY THE WEAK.

BE KIND.

BE SENSITIVE.

SHOW COMPASSION.