NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Frist Foundation has donated $1 million to the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund to help employees affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to a release, more than 700 HCA Healthcare colleagues have sought help over the past few weeks as the coronavirus pandemic causes unemployment and other unexpected financial challenges.
The HCA Healthcare Hope Fund has gotten three times as many requests for grants since the onset of the pandemic. Of those requests, 70% are related to loss of a spouse’s income, 20% are for childcare assistance and 10% are illness related.
The fund also announced a special financial program to help working parents with childcare costs due to school closures.
“We are grateful for the Frist family’s steadfast support of our colleagues during this difficult time,” said Sam Hazen, chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare. “This is just one example of how HCA Healthcare rallies around one another to provide support when devastation strikes.”
Hazen said he will donate 100% of his April and May pay to the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund. Additionally, the senior leadership team has either done the same or increased their contributions and the HCA Healthcare Board of Directors has also waived their cash compensation for the remainder of the year.
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COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
