The poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, "The New Colossus," states, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Like Lady Liberty, healthcare workers have bravely adhered to this principle of taking in, helping, and protecting those in need, in particular those "yearning to breathe free" and to survive COVID-19. COVID-19 has shown to have a more amplified negative impact on marginalized and more vulnerable portions of society. It is my hope that we will, as a nation, embody the spirit of this poem to help those most affected, the tired, and the poor, boldly don our masks and use hand sanitizer as Lady Liberty is here. We will make it through this together.
Rachel MacAskill
Baylor College of Medicine