A group of registered nurses gathered outside the White House on Tuesday in honor of nurses who have died of COVID-19 and to demand mass production of personal protective equipment.
The nurses, from the National Nurses United union, were calling on the Trump administration to supply hospitals with more personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and gowns so they can safely treat coronavirus patients. As of Tuesday evening, the US has recorded over 823,000 cases and more than 44,000 deaths.
“If you don’t protect us, we can’t protect our patients,” one nurse said.
During the protest, one of the nurses began to read out the names of nurses across the US killed in the line of duty.
“We remember the thousands of nurses and other healthcare workers that have become infected with COVID-19, and those who have died,” she said.
“We are demanding that the Trump administration and the US Congress listen to these names, all dedicated nurses, who have left families, friends, and colleagues behind,” she continued.
“Listen to their names and take action so more nurses don’t get sick and die,” the nurse said before reading out the names. Several nurses, complying with social distancing measures, stood behind her while holding photos of those who have died from the disease.
Video from the event was shared by actress and activist Alyssa Milano.
The US has reported nearly 820,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and roughly 45,000 deaths stemming from it.