With schools closed and daycares possibly next on the list to close amid the COVID-19 pandemic, finding childcare can be difficult. Some healthcare workers are finding alternatives for their children while fighting the virus on the frontline.
Some states have started closing daycares, while making exceptions for parents who are nurses, doctors, first responders, and other critical staff.
Lori Turner is the communications officer with Beacon Health System. She said Beacon turned its health and fitness centers into free emergency childcare centers for its employees.
“Everyone gets pretty creative when it comes to childcare. Working parents really do that. We’re making sure they have this backup so we can serve the community.”
Turner said many employees are helping watch one another’s children if they have different shifts. They are also turning to family members for help.
The YMCA of Michiana is also offering emergency childcare for health professionals. Zecharia Hoyt is the executive director of youth programs for the local YMCA.
“We’re going to continue to work with different partners to try to pull resources, specifically personnel, to try and meet these needs.”
Hoyt said having childcare backup for police, firefighters, and other essential staff during this outbreak is
critical.
Contact Annacaroline at acaruso@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @AnnacarolineC16
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