Within the last three months, the notorious coronavirus has spread across the globe, slowly infecting more and more neighborhoods. Its alarming progression seems like something out of a science fiction movie (extremely reminiscent of Steven Soderbergh's 2011 Contagion): frightening, yet detached from reality. Then this Wednesday's evening headline: the coronavirus was in my hometown. This is a real threat.

This past week, it seems that the entirety of the United States had reached the same conclusion as I had. With President Trump declaring a national emergency and travel restrictions being swiftly placed, citizens begin to look at each other with fear and distrust, inching away from each other and giving sideways glances to each slight cough or sneeze. As more institutions begin to close their operations and students and professionals are forced online, one group remains open — in fact, busier — than ever: the health sector.

It almost seemed to line up with the stars that I started my service as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) just as the coronavirus was escalating around the world. I sympathize with my coworkers when they tell me that their loved ones are concerned about them, concerned that they purposefully expose themselves to sick individuals when a dangerous virus lurks in the area. My heart skips a beat when I am informed that a member of my rescue squad was exposed to a patient that tested positive for the coronavirus. Then, a reminder from my coworker: "we are first responders. We are supposed to be there in the field when people need us, otherwise what would happen to everyone else?" I am reminded why I have always wanted to pursue medicine: I want to help those that can not help themselves, to quell fears and over-exaggerations during those extremely vulnerable moments following a grim diagnosis.

While everyone else is at home, safely distanced from any possible carrier of the notorious coronavirus, medical professionals stay on the front lines. While everyone else's workload is reducing, doctors and nurses are becoming more swamped with concerned calls and hysteria in hospitals. During this international crisis, we must not forget the sacrifices made by these health workers.