As Europe continues to fight against the ever-increasing coronavirus outbreak, several organisations and individuals have offered their helping hand to support the over-burdened healthcare workers, from making donations for more medical equipment to delivering food to the hospital workers. A number of trained physicians – including two liberal MEPs – have also volunteered to join the front lines of the crisis, working alongside the healthcare staff.

Andreas Glück – MEP of ALDE member FDP in Germany – has been practicing as a surgery specialist since 2009. He shared his message from the front lines last week, thanking healthcare workers across Europe:

“When I was working at the hospital this week, I experienced what the corona crisis means to those who cannot just stay home. This is the time to say a huge thank you to all the people who keep the whole thing going at the moment.”

“Over the last few days, there were a few people showing ignorance and egoism. […] there were a lot more people taking care of others, being kind, being helpful. A lot of people work together to master this crisis. And this is for me what the whole European Union is about.” 

"Over the last few days, there were many people taking care of others, being kind, being helpful. All over Europe, we're working together to master this crisis. This is for me what the whole European Union is about!" @Andi_Glueck pic.twitter.com/tQWuW4Ukwt

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) March 19, 2020

Katalin Cseh, Hungarian MEP from ALDE member Momentum and a trained physician, has applied to join the Hungarian Ambulance Services as a medical volunteer.

“I believe we all should lend a helping hand if we can,” Cseh said.

Read a longer interview with Katalin Cseh in EurActiv

Some personal news — I applied to the call of the Hungarian Ambulance Services to join the #Covid_19 fight as a medical volunteer while #EP is in recess.

I’m a trained physician & though my life took a different direction, I believe we all should lend a helping hand if we can. pic.twitter.com/caxdfoEVza

— Katalin Cseh (@katka_cseh) March 21, 2020