ONS Meets With Trump; COVID-19 and Patients With Cancer; Senators Weigh COVID-19 Action
ONS CEO Meets With Trump Administration to Discuss COVID-19
Alongside 11 other national nursing organizations, ONS Chief Executive Officer Brenda Nevidjon, MSN, RN, FAAN, participated in a meeting (https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/ons-advocates-for-patients-and-oncology-nursing-at-white-house-briefing-on-covid-19) with President Trump, Vice President Pence, and other leaders from the administration at the White House on March 18, 2020, to discuss the nursing community’s needs and response to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Administrators from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Coronavirus Task Force also attended.
The discussion included the importance of maintaining safety supplies (https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/how-to-manage-ppe-supply-shortages-related-to-covid-19) and personal protective equipment (https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/proper-ppe-procedures-for-covid-19) for healthcare workers, among other needs and challenges nurses caring for patients with cancer face. The A video of the conversation is available online (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U39jL9-ump8), which serves as a further example of the role oncology nurses fill in national conversations about health and safety.
COVID Cases Among Patients With Cancer Remains Low
Patients with cancer are one of the most vulnerable populations facing the COVID-19 pandemic, and oncology nurses are central to their safety and well-being. Though incidence of COVID-19 remains relatively low (https://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/practice-management/news/online/%7Bdbf76fca-5777-4c45-b5ff-0f09f6cc0540%7D/covid-19-and-cancer) among patients with cancer, oncology professionals must stay vigilant. As healthcare professionals at the forefront of care, oncology nurses must address patient concerns (https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/psychosocial-support-for-patients-with-cancer-during-covid-19) about the virus, providing education, safety tips, and updated information.
ONS has the latest information (https://voice.ons.org/topic/covid-19) about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affects oncology nursing practice, and ongoing conversations among peers and colleagues on the ONS Communities (https://communities.ons.org/HigherLogic/Security/Agreement.aspx?ReturnURL1=https%3A//communities.ons.org/communities/community-home%3FCommunityKey%3D1e425fc2-9c9d-4836-ac7d-226c2b4a7b00&SiteKey=4e646502-46af-42ed-a70c-e95f6ae13938&CommunityKey=1e425fc2-9c9d-4836-ac7d-226c2b4a7b00) discuss how best to address patients’ fears and challenges in nursing practice.
Senators Weigh Action Against COVID-19 With Health Risks
The nation’s elected officials are considering (https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/487928-senators-balance-coronavirus-action-with-risks-to-health) a leave from Washington, DC, to return home. Although it puts elected officials closer to their home constituents, it would also follow national recommendations (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html) to avoid close contact with others and large assemblies of people.
Voters want the government to finish its work and complete the COVID-19 stimulus package, and elected officials must balance their duties against their personal health. Two members of Congress have already tested positive (https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/18/first-member-of-congress-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-136300) for the virus, but the nation needs guidance from its elected leaders. Look for an unprecedented level of bipartisan cooperation as Congress continues to work together to provide solutions and resources during the global pandemic.