As the holiday season nears, the number of COVID-19 cases are on the rise. As the total worldwide amount of cases nears 68.2 million cases, health officials have warned against family and friend gatherings for the holidays. Roanoke Memorial nurse Danielle Bivens works daily on the frontlines for COVID-19 and strongly suggests people adhere to the COVID-19 holiday guidelines. 

 “I do believe that it is important to try and slow the spread of COVID-19 until a vaccination is available for a majority of Americans, or at the very least high risk Americans,” said Bivens. 

The governor of Virginia has decided to give out Class C Misdemeanors for getting caught gathering during the holidays. 

“I’m undecided about this logistics of giving out misdemeanors for not following governors orders. I do believe everyone should do their part and participate in slowing the spread of COVID-19, however, I also find it against basic rights that we are unable to gather together.” says Bivens. “I believe that businesses should follow the rules of the health department and, if a misdemeanor is necessary to do that, then so be it. However, I don’t think it’s appropriate to tell families how to live their lives.” 

Bivens also knows firsthand about the effects of not following COVID-19 guidelines. 

“Unfortunately, I have seen the consequences of not following the guidelines. I have seen family members die because they attended a birthday party for a grandchild or for someone who was asymptomatic. I have seen loved ones blame themselves for ‘causing’ a death that could have otherwise been prevented,” said Bivens. 

Bivens has also worked with Respiratory Therapists who have seen the horrors of COIVD-19.

“I have heard the horror stories from NYC straight from the mouths of the Respiratory Therapist who worked the frontlines of COVID-19, and their stories are absolutely horrid. I truly believe the general population could not handle the stories that these peoples have to tell. I also believe there are more consequences to follow that people have not even considered,” said Bivens.

Bivens is also concerned about the amount of available hospital workers. 

“Everyone seems to be concerned about the space that hospitals have available, however, no one seems to be concerned about available staff. Frontline workers are experiencing burn outs at a rapid pace,” said Bivens. “We are going to see these frontline ICU workers quit, meaning no one will be available to care for these incredibly sick patients. The consequences of COVID-19 aren’t going to be fully known for years to come.”