What Happens When Frontline Workers Are No Longer Challenged with COVID?

By Edward Canavan

Everyone is looking forward to the day when vaccines assist in reducing the risk of spreading and individuals succumbing to COVID-19.   No group more than frontline workers who have shouldered a tremendous burden in ensuring we are safe, well fed and able to secure needed medical care.   Being a Type 1 Diabetic, I am extremely grateful people are still showing up to ensure I have access to insulin and supplies. 

We have no model for the impact COVID-19 is having on our economy, frontline workers and the population at large.   From grocery store clerks to police officers, COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the nature of work and increased accountability in reducing the spread.   This is especially true for our healthcare workers.   

History has a way of repeating itself.   Perhaps there are a few important items we can glean and utilize when attempting to forecast how individuals may be impacted once this catastrophic event has subsided.   

A study was published a decade ago by BMC Infectious Diseases.  They surveyed healthcare workers concerning the outbreak of the A/H1N1 influenza.   This study showed that with the sample surveyed, 56.7% reported worry about the pandemic with anxiety levels being moderately high.   They were most concerned with infecting their families as well as the health consequences if they contracted the flu.  Sound familiar?

When juxtaposing the impact of H1N1 against COVID-19, both are novel viruses but there are some glaring differences.   The mortality rate with COVID-19 appears to be much higher than with H1N1.  According to the CDC, as many as 575,400 succumbed to H1N1 during the first year the virus circulated the globe.  This is compared to 1,876,100 COVID deaths worldwide as reported by the World Health Organization.    With H1N1, 80% of virus-related deaths were estimated to have occurred in people younger than 65 years of age.   Children and young to middle aged adults were the groups primarily impacted by H1N1.  COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting older adults and people with underlying health conditions including diabetes, obesity and heart/lung disease.   Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States with an estimated 34.2 million individuals battling diabetes.   

New data released by the Department of Health and Human Services on January 4th, 2021 showed that in 126 counties nationwide, the average hospital is at 90% capacity.  In comparison, a study published by Statista showed hospitals resting at an average of 66% capacity in 2017.  

So, how is all of this impacting our frontline and healthcare workers?  Healthcare workers are battling a novel virus in which we have no clear treatment protocols established.  Some individuals suffering from COVID recover while others unfortunately do not.   Long hours and the inability to have an impact on the recovery of patients can take a toll.  Many are exhausted but continue to work long shifts.  

Just like COVID-19, anxiety is insidious and often manifests after the battle is over.  Many employers are probably already contemplating this potential future exposure and coming up with solutions.  As an industry we may want to start socializing and sharing ideas around helping those that have continued to ensure we are able to sustain ourselves and our families

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Edward Canavan - Eddy has over 25 years of experience in the workers’ compensation industry and is currently working as the Chief Claims Advisor for Hudson Claims Consulting. In his present role Eddy serves as a subject matter expert for Hudson's clients helping them with compliance, practices and refining their products and services. Before working for Hudson, Eddy spent 18 years with Sedgwick. Most recently Eddy served as Sedgwick’s Senior Vice President of Casualty Practices helping shape best practices, update auditing methods, support business development, provide expertise to clients, colleagues and the industry. Eddy holds several professional designations including an Associates in Claims and Risk Management and secured his bachelor’s degree in business administration from CA State University of San Bernardino.

To contact Eddy - eddy@hudsonclaimsconsulting.com