On Wednesday, I went to have an ultrasound done of my thyroid and as I walked to my appointment at the University of Miami Cancer center, my father (who has been vaccinated for covid-19) had to leave me at the door. As I walked through the building-I noticed that as harrowing as this experience felt for me- a healthy, cognizant, 28 year old- there were elderly people who were evidently undergoing cancer treatment everywhere ALONE.  I thought of my grandparents having to be in this hospital for cancer (or anything for that matter!) alone - and I don’t know how they would be able to do it.  It is absolutely inhumane.

I created this petition in hopes of changing the rules for the elderly in hospitals- by requiring hospitals to allow at least one caregiver or relative to attend visits. The elderly are America’s most precious gifts and they deserve to be advocated for and protected- physically AND emotionally. They are entering surgeries, receiving life altering diagnosis, and suffering in the hospital completely alone and it is completely vile.  We can do better! 

Doctors, nurses, and even hospital staff are doing a phenomenal job of helping people feel less alone - but it is unfair to expect that in the midst of the already taxing chaos of this pandemic they replace the emotional support of a relative, friend, or other caregiver. 

My proposed solution - if rapid testing is not available- is to allow a caregiver who has tested negative for Covid-19 with the same documentation required for airplane travel to accompany the elderly to their hospital visits or stays. 

Please help me by signing this petition as I do my best to speak up for this basic human right.