It’s not secret that COVID-19 has hit the airline industry hard, causing mass layoffs all around the world. In Sweden and the United Kingdom, laid off flight attendants are using their medical emergency training to help hospitals fight the coronavirus.
Heart, ambition and dedication – from our cabin crew in Norway. 💙We proudly announce our initiative to connect SAS cabin crew in Norway with the emerging needs within the healthcare sector during the corona crisis. pic.twitter.com/IIeA6CWpcH
— SAS – Scandinavian Airlines (@SAS) April 6, 2020
In Sweden and the UK, flight attendants for Scandinavian Airlines, EasyJet, and Virgin Atlantic typically have first aid training, and they are using it to help perform critical support roles at hospitals that have been established specifically to treat COVID-19 patients. This means they are taking on tasks like changing bedding, making patients comfortable, and other critical support roles. In exchange for their selfless volunteering, they are being offering free meals and accommodations.
In Singapore, jobless flight attendants are transitioning to new roles in communities to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of them are paired with law enforcement or stationed on streets to dissuade public gatherings and encourage people to learn about the virus. Others in Singapore are working in hospitals providing needed assistance to the medical community.
In the United States, workers who have been laid off or furloughed and feel called to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic can find volunteer programs in their individual states, or by searching at volunteermatch.org/covid19