COVID-19

By the NATA International Committee

NATA, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) hosted a three-part virtual educational event to help parents, guardians and community leaders make informed decisions about sports participation during the pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, athletic trainers have stepped up to help their communities and local health care systems in multiple ways, including screening, telemedicine and infrastructure. NATA will share what athletic trainers everywhere are doing to care for their patients, communities and themselves during this time. 

Athletic trainers have found themselves in unique positions during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been able to work alongside other health care professionals assisting in a variety of capacities. Whether checking temperatures, testing possible coronavirus-positive people or integrating telehealth, ATs have proved their value.

After hosting a successful call-in event in June, the NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee and ATs Care Commission will team up once again to host call-in nights for NATA members and student members to express their emotional response to recent events throughout August.

AOSSM invites all NATA members to join a special night of elite speakers and presentations from 7 to 9 p.m. EDT July 9 to discuss COVID-19 and return to play. Access to this online event is complimentary for NATA members. 

COVID-19 hit the economy hard with millions of Americans losing jobs around the nation. In health care alone, there have been 1.4 million job losses since January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Whether a pay cut, furlough or complete loss of jobs, athletic trainers have felt this impact.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about stress and uncertainty in personal and professional lives. Prior to the pandemic, when athletic trainers were stressed and needing someone to talk to, ATs Care  was there.

As health care professionals, athletic trainers should be part of the conversation when preparing for employees to return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Safety Committee, housed within the Council on Practice Advancement (COPA), recently released the Temperature Flow Chart resource for ATs to share with their organization’s planning teams or administration when preparing to return to work.

“COVID-19 teaches us that we are part of something far greater than ourselves,” said Kristinn Heinrichs, PhD, ATC, PT, an athletic trainer in Vicenza, Italy. The coronavirus pandemic has known no bounds; it doesn’t see territory lines or know cultural differences, it has affected athletic trainers in every part of the world.