TUCSON, Ariz. — University of Arizona medical students are stepping up to help the homeless community in Tucson amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a press release from UArizona, “This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,” UArizona medical student who will graduate in 2021 Christian Bergman said.
Bergman and other medical students are volunteering at the Z Mansion that serves as a soup kitchen for the homeless on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Each shift students suit up in PPE including; gloves, medical masks and plastic face shields. They prepare and serve meals, but also screen visitors for COVID-19 symptoms, and those who are suspected of infection are asked to isolate outdoors on the premises. The makeshift 'isolation wards' are staffed by medical students.
Medical student distribute food three times a day and monitor patients for worsening symptoms.
Students are accepting food donations to continue feeding the homeless community. Donations accepted include; cold compresses, hydration supplements such as electrolyte powders and Pedialyte equivalents.
For more information response to the novel coronavirus, click here.
