"I’m an Industrial Electrician. I work all over the hospital servicing all of the electrical systems – including lighting, power outlets, power distribution, and any kind of electrical motor and controls for HVAC systems.
Electricians take care of anything that moves or turns on or off. We’re everywhere – even in the ICU. If there’s a light switch, we are there. We are essential – we have the power.
Health care workers aren’t just nurses and doctors. Electricians are also on the frontlines. Everyone is on high alert, and we’re taking it a day at a time. The lack of certainty is sometimes really scary as you don’t know what to expect.
In one work area, there were people infected with COVID. I don’t have direct involvement with patients, but I do go into their rooms. It’s just kind of scary because it’s happening all around us.
This is the new normal for me: I change my shoes at work before I head home. I go to my car, and take those shoes off, and put on the sandals I keep in the car. Then I drive home to my garage, close the door, take off all of my clothes, and take a shower. And only then, my wife allows me to go up and see the family. I miss seeing my friends, watching movies with them on Saturday nights, and having people over. My son is almost three years old, and he misses his friends too."
-Fram, Electrician, part of the health care team