Now it is very important for each individual to take measures to prevent the spread of infection.
We asked professionals working in medical settings to give their messages to us.

• Those infected with COVID-19 and their families have been facing a tough time. We also have always been agonizing over whether to go home after work or stay at a hotel. It is important to take basic measures to prevent infection, including washing hands and gargling. I hope that there will be fewer people with sorrow and grief or in distress.

• In a few months, we will have been fighting against COVID-19 for nearly two years. At first, I felt that this was something that somebody really should do, but I was overwhelmed by a sense of mission and a feeling of anxiety. I thought I wanted to protect my family from the unknown virus. At the same time, however, I saw many infected people suffering from great anxiety. Sometimes, I find myself mentally worn out. With no finish line in sight, many people now have experienced mental fatigue. So, I’m filled with gratitude for this project, which brings a smile to people’s faces in an instant. Thank you very much. I hope that this pandemic will end as soon as possible and that many people’s lives will be saved. I will continue to work hard to treat and care for infected patients.

• Due to prolonged infection control for COVID-19 and resulting regulations on people’s movements, I think that many have become exhausted both physically and mentally. However, each individual’s slack attitude and carelessness will cause the further spread of infection. If you become infected, it’s not just about you. Keeping in mind the fact that this will have influence on all the people around you, including your family, school and workplace, you need to act appropriately. We at medical institutions will make every effort to save your life for any reason. So please pay careful attention not to get infected with coronavirus. In hope that the COVID-19 pandemic will subside as soon as possible, let’s work together and continue to do our best.

• We have long been working in a state of tension. Not only doctors and nurses but also other healthcare providers, like radiology technicians, who all equally take on infection risks, have been making a concerted effort to fight against COVID-19 by providing tests and treatments. I hope that this situation will end as soon as possible and that the medical care system will return to normal so that we can properly provide medical care for patients fighting various diseases.

• The current difficult situation will continue, but I believe that rainy days never stay. Looking back in history, humans managed to overcome various difficulties. Let’s work together with all the people around the world to continue to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic! I’m working in a palliative care unit, where visitors are usually allowed to see patients anytime. After the spread of the infection, however, patients could no longer see their families freely. Even at the very end of patients’ lives, a limited number of people are allowed to be at their bedside. Under these circumstances, I want to make every effort to give relief to patients so that they can spend the time they have left together with their families as much as possible.

• We still have tense days. Each individual’s effort to take preventive measures properly will enable us to provide medical care to those who need it. I’d like to ask for your cooperation.

• Despite the recent spread of vaccination, there are a large number of infections, and many patients are admitted to the hospital every day. Our hospital has also increased the number of beds for COVID-19 patients, and doctors, including me, nurses and other medical staff have been working hard to provide medical care. In order to make the situation better, we are determined to continue to provide medical care while taking thorough measures to prevent the spread of infection.

• COVID-19 deprives people of many things. The pandemic has increased the number of people with economic difficulties and diminished opportunities for people to interact with each other. This is a very tough and sad situation. Thanks to the cooperation of all of you, however, we have been saved. Thank you very much. Although we might be pushed to shift to a new style of life, we will be able to get together with a smile again. I would be happy if we can continue to work together to overcome this difficult situation so as not to lose anyone due to COVID-19.

• I have realized that each individual’s efforts lead to saving lives. I’d like to ask you all to continue to take basic preventive measures, such as washing hands, gargling, and staying away from crowds.

• This is a privately run hospital. We have accepted patients infected with COVID-19. Unlike designated hospitals, we don’t have adequate facilities or goods. However, all staff members are responding to this difficult situation by trial and error. Since everything is new to us, we are working hard in a state of confusion and anxiety. Although it is said that many people are tired of voluntary restrictions, it is important for each individual to do what he/she can now (for example, taking preventive measures and refraining from going out unless necessary) before getting infected. I believe that the accumulation of small efforts will lead to infection control.

• Anyone can get infected with COVID-19. To protect the lives of your loved ones, please never think “This would be OK” without any evidence.

• If you have no experience, it may be hard to imagine the situation in which patients are not allowed to have visitors, even their families. When a patient’s family members bring something to the patient or when they hear bad news from his/her doctor, they cannot see their loved ones directly. Just imagine that the further spread of COVID-19 may bring about such a future.

• If you develop a sudden fever, be sure to make a phone call before going to see a doctor. This is the first step to reducing the transmission of COVID-19.

• We act under the premise that we are infected with novel coronavirus in order to prevent the spread of infection and avoid having close contact with others. So, we work hard and quietly and pay careful attention to take necessary measures, such as wearing a mask, washing hands, and improving the environment.

• Those working in medical settings are working hard, going through a difficult time. To protect your life, please take necessary measures to prevent infection.

• I have realized the importance of taking necessary measures to prevent infection in everyday life. Be sure to wash your hands, wear a mask and practice social distancing. Let’s work together to put this pandemic to an end.

• The most important thing is that each person takes appropriate precautions. Each individual needs to be fully aware of the risk of getting infected and passing infection to others.

• As the saying goes, “What happens to one today may happen to another tomorrow.” If you don’t want to have any regrets, please protect yourself, your family members and friends. In medical settings, many human lives are in the balance. I’d like to ask you all to live life with no regrets.

• When it was decided to establish a COVID-19 unit, nurses were asked whether they were willing to join a team to treat coronavirus patients. As a result, a team comprising those with high motivation was launched. We have been providing care with a higher sense of tension to an increasing number of infected people requiring inpatient treatment while taking thorough preventive measures. Patients, who are isolated and are not allowed to see their families, are struggling with a feeling of insecurity, loneliness and stress. They suffer damage both physically and mentally. I believe that every healthcare professional should make every effort not only to prevent infection from spreading but also to work for precautions against the virus based on accurate knowledge. I hope that the war against COVID-19 will come to an end as soon as possible.

• Our hospital has been accepting patients with moderately severe COVID-19. So, our circumstances are different from those of medical institutions accepting patients with severe symptoms. Since there are general patients as well in the same hospital ward, every staff member always gives due consideration so as not to get infected and pass infection to other patients. To do this, we have voluntarily restricted our activities and traveled only between home and the workplace—with occasional shopping—for more than one year. Some gave up holding a wedding or returning to their parents’ home. Under these difficult circumstances, however, we have been working hard, hoping this war will come to an end soon. COVID-19 is a dreadful disease. We saw some patients suddenly falling into a serious condition and some losing their lives. Even when patients die, even their families are not allowed to see them. With a rapid increase in the number of people requiring inpatient treatment, we saw many cases in which medical professionals are forced to make a determination on life or to balance ethics, infection prevention, and safety. In some cases, we need to radically change our attitudes as nurses, taking a toll on our minds. Nearly one year has passed since we were put into such a situation. I feel that there are various circumstances and that the situation is approaching its limit. However, not just us. Despite the spread of vaccination, it remains to be seen. I think it is important for each individual to pay due consideration not to get infected or transmit infection to others.

• Fortunately, no COVID-19 cluster infection has occurred at the hospital I’m working for, and normal medical services have been provided to patients. However, our hospital is fully occupied, and we are also uncertain about the future. We have been limited in our activities in private life, making us feel a lot of stress, just like people in other professions. Considering that if I get infected with the virus, it will have a certain influence on the function of the workplace, I can’t allow myself to break the rules. The hospital will not work properly without each individual’s sense of duty. In hope that people can return to a society with less stress as soon as possible, let’s work together and beat the virus.

• Due to the spread of COVID-19, many hospitals cannot provide medical care as usual to outpatients and inpatients. It is important for each person to try not to get infected. Let’s work together to overcome these hardships, hoping that the COVID-19 pandemic will end soon.

• Medical service providers, who are not allowed to go out or dine out freely, are struggling against COVID-19. Since all the people in Japan need to work together to combat the virus, I want each person to take thorough measures to prevent infection.

• When we overcome the current crisis, a new future is waiting. Let’s work together and do our best!

• If you try to maintain your health and lead a life of safety on a daily basis—not limited to COVID-19—you can help protect limited medical resources. Thinking of for what injury or disease the only one bed available in the hospital should be used makes us feel mentally exhausted.

• The spread of infection can be prevented by wearing masks, washing hands and disinfecting with alcohol. It is important not to see it as a matter only concerning yourself but see it as a matter concerning yourself and other people.

• I usually take a bath before leaving for home, and I’m always on pins and needles because whenever I catch a cold, I have to worry if it is a symptom of COVID-19. I strongly hope that this pandemic will end as soon as possible. In my region, there are not many infection cases. I think nurses in COVID-19 endemic regions are having hard times. I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks.

• Although we have been making every effort not to get infected, some colleagues became infected. The occurrence of a COVID-19 cluster infection has caused cruel insults and wild accusations, making the staff feel more exhausted. We are now fighting against the virus, believing that there is no tunnel without exits.

• At a COVID-19 hospital unit, we have been going through difficult times, including seemingly endless nursing care and limited activities even in private life. During work breaks, we are not allowed to have meals together, thereby leading to less conversation with co-workers. However, we are working hard every day, with an eye toward the future, saying, “Let’s have a drinking party after the end of COVID-19 pandemic.”

• Every day, we accept new COVID-19 patients in serious condition for hospitalization. Both patients and medical staff are combatting the virus desperately. We ask you to take thorough measures to prevent the spread of infection to your loved ones.

• Each staff member at my hospital endeavors to take thorough measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 for the local community and is struggling every day to save people’s lives for a brighter future.

• We will continue to work hard so that all of you can return to your former life.

• Since some elderly people who don’t go out much became infected with COVID-19, I’m afraid that infection has been spreading from those who are healthy and active. Those infected with COVID-19 and their families have been facing a tough time. We also have always been agonizing over whether to go home after work or stay at a hotel. It is important to take basic measures to prevent infection, including washing hands and gargling. I hope that there will be fewer people with sorrow and grief or in distress.

• I work every day, accepting patients with fever and preparing for the hospitalization of patients who have tested positive. Since emergency room patients often have a positive PCR test, we are always a nervous wreck. I wonder if any of the patients and families we see there are infected. Although patients are taken care of mainly by young doctors and nurses, they have nearly reached their physical and mental limits. The fact is that the medical staff are working together to save patients’ lives with all their strength.

• Medical staff are required to wear personal protective equipment to provide care to COVID-19 patients. It is not easy for us to take care of patients in such circumstances. So, we give each other encouragement, hoping that this situation will return to normal as quickly as possible.

• We ask you to think of the risk of getting infected with the virus as your own concern and take appropriate measures to prevent infection.

We would like to express our thanks to medical service providers for their messages.