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Coronavirus Healthcare Workers Are Putting Their Photos on PPE So Patients See Their Smiles

By Sara Barnes on April 9, 2020

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A post shared by Robertino (@captain_wolf82) on Apr 4, 2020 at 8:44am PDT

The healthcare providers who are on the front lines of treating patients for COVID-19 are clad in personal protective equipment (PPE) so that they stay healthy. Their suiting covers them, from head to toe, in an isolation gown, face mask, face shields, and goggles, making it impossible for them to do the simple things like smile at patients who are likely scared (in addition to feeling very sick).

A respiratory therapist named Robertino Rodriguez had a brilliant idea that brings some positivity to those with the coronavirus. “I felt bad for my patients in ER when I would come in the room with my face covered in PPE,” he wrote on Instagram. “A reassuring smile makes a big difference to a scared patient. So today I made a giant laminated badge for my PPE. So my patients can see a reassuring and comforting smile.” He affixed the badge to his isolation suit, and it includes his picture and name so that people can see the person behind the PPE. Hopefully, it will relieve some of their anxiety surrounding their condition.

After Rodriguez posted a picture of his PPE badge, his post went viral and inspired many other care providers to do the same. Some have posted their photos online, and we hope to see more medical workers share their friendly faces, too.