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Vanderbilt students team up to give back to health care workers

Vanderbilt Medical
Posted at 3:52 PM, Apr 15, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-16 00:16:15-04

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Health care workers have had to sacrifice a lot during the coronavirus pandemic, but their sacrifices haven't gone unnoticed. To show their appreciation, five Vanderbilt students are joining forces to raise money for our local heroes.

They've partnered with Vanderbilt Health to create the organization “Fuel Our Heroes Nashville.”

The money will go towards supporting Vanderbilt’s health care workers with things like childcare, housing and personal protective equipment. Lia Hayduk, a sophomore and founder of the organization, has seen firsthand how doctors and nurses in our community have save lives during this crisis.

"A lot of Vanderbilt students have recovered from the coronavirus because they were lucky to have access to treatment and healthcare," Hayduk said.

The organization only launched four days ago and has already raised more than $3,000. If you want to donate, click here. It is a 501(c)(3) organization, therefore you are eligible for tax deductible donations.

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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.