Austin Attorneys Provide #mealsforheroes BY DANIELLA LYTTLE
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here is no question that COVID-19 has had an impact on everyone. At the time this article went to press, Travis County had almost 60,000 confirmed COVID cases, sending Austinites to the ICU in massive numbers and putting a tremendous strain on our medical community. Nurses, doctors, hospitalists, and medical staff have struggled with their dual roles as health care providers and caregivers to their own families. Many have increased their work hours to cover the greater needs of the
Austin community, often while experiencing a reduction in pay. In addition, many with children are struggling to find childcare or help with monitoring virtual school. Working from home was never an option for the medical community, and, as first responders, Austin depends on them now more than ever before. At the beginning of the pandemic, medical professionals had to worry about securing enough personal protective equipment (PPE) and witnessed firsthand the impact of the novel virus and what it was doing to the community. Once PPE equipment
sanitizing system, the masks are sanitized and reused to stretch the supply. Austin Bar member Daniella Lyttle recognized the hardships facing the medical community early on and began driving around Austin collecting N95-rated masks from willing donors and delivering them to local hospitals. As the pandemic continued to drag on, Lyttle became aware that many hospitals had to shut down the food lounges providing hot meals for medical professionals. This is when she started delivering packaged meals randomly to hospitals in the Seton system,
As the pandemic continued to drag on, Lyttle became aware that many hospitals had to shut down the food lounges providing hot meals for medical professionals. This is when she started delivering packaged meals randomly to hospitals…. During one of those deliveries, she posted pictures of her meal delivery on social media, and #mealsforheroes was born. became more readily available, the medical community continued working long shifts wearing uncomfortable gear. In addition to their normal protective gear, medical professionals are wearing N95-rated masks, with a surgical mask on top, followed by a face shield or goggles. On top of all this gear, medical professionals are wearing a hood with a blower that creates positive pressure inside the hood, a surgical isolation gown, surgical booties, and double or triple gloves. The typical shift at the hospital is 10 to 12 hours long with the gear making deep and painful dents on the skin and causing difficulty with normal breathing functions for even the most experienced professionals. Currently, N95-rated masks are still in short supply. Austin medical professionals do not have the supply to have disposable N95-rated masks. Using a UV-C
Daniella Lyttle is the managing partner of Lyttle Law Firm. Her firm focuses exclusively on family law and immigration law matters and has been serving Austin since 2010. Lyttle is also a member of the Austin Bar.
Hertel, court reporter to Judge Hathcock, and local dentists Dr. Khosravian and Dr. Bemanesh. Multiple meals have been served throughout the Seton network of hospitals with enough funding to carry #mealsforheroes through March of 2021. with the simple hope that getting Austin lawyers have suffered a hot meal would make somefrom disrupted schedules, stress, one’s day a little brighter during and isolation from friends a long shift at the hospital. and family, while watching During one of those deliveries, colleagues, friends, and family she posted pictures of her meal struggle with the unknowns of delivery on social media, and COVID-19. It has caused many #mealsforheroes was born. There to dig deep for inspiration and was an overwhelmingly positive hope. Despite all that, the legal response from local attorneys community is here, present, and who sympathized with the hardwilling to acknowledge the sacriships of the medical community fices local medical professionals and commented that they, too, are making daily for Austin. wanted to help. There’s no better way to start Thanks to the contributions of 2021! ’Tis the season to bring Austin attorneys Jake Gilbreath, smiles and hot meals to the heKeiko Anderson, Patricia Dixon, roes in the medical community, Dorothy Lawrence, Gabrielle Schto say thank you, and to take care reiber, Caroline Badinelli, Holly of them while they continue to Davis, Margaret Kercher, Audrey give so much back. Blair, Ilana Tanner, Eileen LawIf you’re interested in helping rence, Melissa Ward, and Claire with #mealsforheros, you may Carter, with Lyttle’s commitment email Lyttle at ddl@lyttlelaw.com. AUSTINLAWYER to match, dollar-for-dollar, those AL AL first contributions, $3,000 has been collected to date. Additional contributors were Angie FEBRUARY 2021 | AUSTINLAWYER
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