Debra Rhinewalt is one of the few people who knows what 2,000 yards of wide, red ribbon looks like all in one place. She used it this past week to help launch the Mississippi Nurses Association “Support with Red” campaign. Rhinewalt tied red bows on just about everything she could around Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle as well as other locations. Rhinewalt is the Palliative Care Clinical Coordinator at the hospital, and also an MNA board member. The show of red is a visual sign of support for everyone on the frontline of health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re inviting communities to join us in encouraging doctors, nurses, ancillary hospital departments, chaplains, first responders, firemen, researchers, scientists, support staff, maintenance, cafeteria workers — everyone involved,” said Rhinewalt. “Every one of us is a vital part of protecting each other. We’re in this fight together.”
The statewide effort is also an expression of encouragement to pharmacists, administrators, IT professionals, billing staff, security personnel and all those working in long-term care, home health and at testing sites.
“Even if you just have some red paint, paint a piece of paper and put it in the window, put a thank you note up; please use what you have on hand,” said Rhinewalt. “It’s just showing support, and we chose red because it’s such a bright, vibrant color.”
The MNA plans to continue the Support with Red campaign as long as the current COVID-19 crisis lasts.
Learn more about the professional association for all registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses in Mississippi at msnurses.org.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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