Every day feels like we’re living in pre-apocalyptic times, but city governments are doing everything they can to help steer us through a worldwide pandemic. This includes asking for more help when it’s needed. In New York City, which is being hit particularly hard by the coronavirus outbreak right now, residents received an emergency alert on Friday asking for more doctors. New York isn’t the first city to send out that type of alert.
Cities are sending out emergency alerts asking for healthcare workers. Share on XThe emergency alert was sent out to NYC residents no the evening of Friday, April 3. It read: “Emergency Alert. Attention all healthcare workers: New York City is seeking licensed healthcare workers to support healthcare facilities in need. Visit NYC.gov/helpnow to volunteer.”
The alert is certainly an efficient way to find people to help, which is needed more than anything else right now. For some, seeing the alert caused a bit of unease.
Here is what some people said about it on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/biannagolodryga/status/1246191239730520064
Never thought we’d be using the emergency alert system for this. Let’s get to work, friends. #NYC #COVID19 #COVID2019 #medtwitter pic.twitter.com/P2l8BdrYnP
— Lior Braunstein (@LiorBraunstein) April 3, 2020
Some said it sounded like an Amber Alert.
An amber alert just went out in NYC seeking licensed health care workers ……
— Akela Lacy (@akela_lacy) April 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/APompliano/status/1246186022645399552
As some pointed out, this was a smart alert to send out and might help them get much-needed help.
VERY smart alert yesterday from NYC. Maybe the smartest one yet. The stigma of COVID-19 is rising fast and must be attacked aggressively. Confidential and robust resources are vital. pic.twitter.com/OE3K0AOh0V
— Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) April 4, 2020
When someone shared on Reddit about the alert, others chimed in and said they had seen similar alerts in their cities. Redditor buffalo-san said they got a similar alert in Illinois.
Here’s another from Illinois:
This emergency alert I got on my phone has just upped my anxiety pic.twitter.com/iPNEuYYe6z
— Danie The Degenerate (@daniecal) March 31, 2020
Another got an emergency alert in Missouri asking for the same. Some people said the alert in Missouri was about helping in Illinois.
Just received this #emergencyalert on my phone–I wish there was something I could do except #StayHome. #Illinois we may give you a hard time re:baseball, but #Missouri stands with you. https://t.co/a18bSrTOsV
— Laura Burnham (@DrLauraBurnham) March 31, 2020
Still others are getting emergency alerts about staying inside, such as in Toronto. One in Toronto reads: “Emergency Alert. Stop the spread. COVID19 can be deadly. The time to act is NOW. Everyone but essential workers need to stay home. Only go out if absolutely necessary to pick up groceries, prescriptions or go to a medical appointment. Ignoring self-isolation or physical distancing advice can have devastating effects and endanger lives. Protect yourself and others. Stay home.”
Emergency Alert Toronto ON pic.twitter.com/fCS0HfxI5s
— آمنہ خان (@AmnaKhan56) April 4, 2020
I just received this emergency alert in Toronto. #StayTheBlazesHome #PlanktheCurve pic.twitter.com/mJs8nc5Iij
— Luke A. Ettinger (@lukeaettinger) April 4, 2020
Healthcare workers are needing all the help they can get. You can help by committing to social distancing right now and by staying home unless you need to get essential supplies. Everything anyone can do to help slow the virus’s spread can help.
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