African Immigrants in Healthcare: Contributions and Challenges during COVID-19

In an age where we've traded handshakes for elbow bumps and "you're on mute" has become the anthem of our virtual gatherings, let's not forget about those who've been navigating this topsy-turvy landscape in scrubs and gloves. Today, we pull the curtain on a group that has been making an indelible impact on American healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic: African Immigrants.

The Unsung Heroes in Scrubs

If COVID-19 was a movie, our healthcare professionals would be the underdog protagonists, the Spidermans and Wonder Women of this plague-ridden era. But the people I want to talk about are the supporting characters who often get left out of the credit roll. African immigrants in healthcare are like the Samwise Gamgees of the medical 'Lord of the Rings,' right there in the trenches but somehow hidden in the shadow of the narrative.

The First Line of Duty: Their Daily Ritual

You think your morning ritual of chugging down espresso and navigating Zoom is chaotic? Let me serve you a daily habit that’s harder to swallow than black coffee. Many African immigrant healthcare professionals start their day by calculating the time difference to connect with family across the Atlantic, reassuring worried parents that they are alright, before setting out to fight a global pandemic. If that isn't a morning routine that will stick to your ribs like grits at a Southern breakfast, I don't know what is.

An Awe-Inspiring Undertaking: From the Continent to the Frontlines

You see, the awe here isn't just the Herculean tasks they do, but the gargantuan psychological leaps they make. These professionals have come from places where healthcare might not be as advanced, but community is as robust as the African Baobab tree. And here they are, thousands of miles from what they know, saving lives in a land that sometimes questions their very belonging.

The Two-Front Battle: Challenges in a COVID-Ridden Landscape

But it’s not all applause and standing ovations. The very same healthcare system that they're fortifying throws curveballs their way. They face institutional challenges, from being pigeonholed into roles that don't fully utilize their skill sets, to the daily microaggressions that can make scrubbing in feel like suiting up for battle. They aren't just combating a virus; they're also taking on a system rife with disparities.