COVID-19

As the entire world continues to stay locked down during the COVID-19 epidemic, we want to bring attention to how this situation affects lung transplant patients and medical staff. As you may or may not know, transplant patients have a compromised immune system. This means that their body has a much more difficult time fighting illness. The Coronavirus can be fatal to people with compromised immune systems. People with compromised immune systems don’t necessarily look “sick” or “weak” so it is important for all of us to be careful who we are around during this time.

The following people have a weak or compromised immune system:

1. The elderly
2. Small children
3. Transplant patients
4. People with autoimmune diseases like Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, and more.
5. Cancer patients
6. People on dialysis
7. People with HIV/AIDS 
8. Many more…

These are the people that have the highest risk of dying from COVID-19. You most likely know someone who is immunocompromised. This is why social distancing and self-quarantine is so important. You might be healthy and able to fight off the Coronavirus, however, your family and friends may not be able to. 

We also want to bring attention to all the healthcare workers like doctors, nurses, techs, administrative staff, and all others who are on the frontlines of this epidemic. They are putting their lives at risk to help save ours. Hospitals are at capacity with people fighting COVID-19. Please help make their job easier by keeping yourself as safe as possible in this epidemic. 

Everyone does not have the privilege of staying home, especially those with essential jobs like healthcare workers, delivery people, and some retail workers. For those that do have the choice, please stay home. 

Although there is no need to panic and buy things like toilet paper in bulk, it is important to stay as vigilant as possible. We can all play a part in slowing down this epidemic and saving the lives of those people that are most vulnerable by following the guidelines of the World Health Organization. Make sure to wash your hands as often as possible and avoid crowded places. 

Also, consider checking up on the people in your life that might have a compromised immune system to make sure they are safe and have everything they need.

We hope all of our family, friends, donors, supporters, and lung transplant patients stay safe during these difficult times. If you have the means, please donate to the WHO and other accredited organizations that are helping us fight this. 

Stay safe!