WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) released a video thanking health care workers in Maryland and across America for their service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 20 million people work in the health care industry in the United States, including health care technicians, practitioners, physicians, surgeons, registered nurses, nursing assistants, home health and personal care aides, pharmacists, and others making the health care and social assistance sector the largest employer in the country.

The once in a century COVID-19 pandemic hit our health care system hard, disrupting care in ways we were not prepared for. Health care workers lacked sufficient access to personal protective equipment (PPE), and have continued to bravely provide care while being put at considerable risk on the frontlines during the pandemic. Despite precautions, health care workers made up about 7 to 26 percent of COVID-19 cases in any state. In April, it was reported that more than 3,600 health care workers had died from the virus. So many put their lives on the line to treat, care for, and keep our communities safe.

Health care workers treated nearly 225,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, fighting tooth and nail to save the lives of our loved ones. They have worked long shifts and worked multiple days in a row without a break. Helping to vaccinate millions throughout the country, health care workers continue to treat patients as the Delta variant devastates our country.

“We cannot thank our health care heroes enough. They were our heroes before the pandemic, and it is especially true now. They have made the difference. Please join Team Maryland and thank the health care heroes that have made a difference in your life,” the lawmakers said.

The full video can be found here.

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