In the last two weeks, life as we know it has changed. Postponements and cancellations have dominated the headlines. Even things that had always seemed untouchable, like sports, have taken a pause for something bigger. COVID-19 (coronavirus), has forced countless shutdowns and changes to everyday life for so many across the globe.
 
However, many of our River Hawk alumni are still getting up and going to work, day in and day out. From doctors to nurses to scientists, there are many former UMass Lowell student-athletes in the medical profession who are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
 
And while it may have halted our everyday routines, these brave men and women are working harder than ever before for us – their families, friends and neighbors.
 
"Being on the front lines of anything is part of what I signed up for," said Dr. Michael Regan, a former UMass Lowell baseball player and associate chief of emergency medicine at Norwood Hospital in Norwood, Mass. "We understand that in any pandemic or epidemic situation, we are going to be the first line of defense. It is what we are trained to do and what all of us are experts at."
 
But even though our medical professionals may know that outbreaks or worldwide events are part of what they signed up for, they are taking this novel situation day-by-day just like the rest of us.
 
"I think everyone who works in healthcare always knows there is a potential for events requiring disaster response, but I did not think my first major event would be a global pandemic," commented softball alum Courtney Lanfranchi, a registered nurse for Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Medical ICU.
 
Allyssa Moser, a first-year registered nurse also at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, echoed the same sentiments.
 
"Quite honestly, I knew at some point in my career that I'd probably have to take care of patients that have been involved in a pandemic. I just didn't think it would be this soon and this progressive within months of me graduating from UMass Lowell."
 
COVID-19 has been rapidly progressing across the globe in just a few short months. It is a highly-contagious, new virus for which proven treatments have yet to be developed, which means there is still much left to the unknown about the situation.   
 
"I do feel a little unsettled with the unknown," said Alex Loblundo, UMass Lowell field hockey alum and registered nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital. "I know I am working at one of the best hospitals in the country and I am hopeful that we will have every resource to be able to handle anything thrown our way, but it is still a bit unsettling that we don't know what could be coming our way."
 
But no matter how tense the situation may be, hope must shine through.
 
"I am hopeful that there will be significant gains in treatment and prevention for COVID-19 in medicine in the near future," stated Nicole (Plante) Hunt, member of the UMass Lowell Athletics Hall of Fame from the women's cross country and track and field teams, and a family nurse practitioner in Middlesex County. "Testing alone has improved significantly from four days to now a four-hour turnaround. Two different medications are also in the works to help decrease symptoms and length of the illness."
 
And even if many unknown factors remain and nerves run high, these former River Hawks are prouder than ever to be serving their communities.
 
"Knowing I am making a difference is very humbling," said Lanfranchi. "It is such a rewarding feeling to comfort someone when they are scared and vulnerable. I have the utmost admiration for all of my coworkers and peers. We work so incredibly hard every day, and it comes to the forefront in crisis times like these. Friends and family have constantly been checking in on my wellbeing, both physical and mental, and it is greatly appreciated."
 
"In times like these, it does make me realize how important my job is as a caregiver in our community," Moser reiterated. "Most professions at this time are able to work from home and are practicing social distancing to limit their exposure. Myself and my other colleagues as healthcare professionals don't have the privilege to stay home. We are the ones who are in the patients' rooms who are being directly exposed to make sure that these people get the right care while they are trying to fight through this virus."
 
"The community is counting on the nurses, doctors, nurse practitioners, lab techs, etc. to help care for the individuals who become infected by the COVID-19 virus," added Hunt. "Even when we are tired, hungry, thirsty or missing our family, we must continue to fight for the lives within our community. It's our job and we are proud to help."
 
While nothing could have fully prepared anyone for an event like the one we are experiencing now, many of our alums do feel that their time at UMass Lowell has helped.
 
"I was a nursing student at UMass Lowell in 2013 when the Boston Marathon bombings occurred," explained Lanfranchi. "The professors did discuss and emphasize the importance of emergency preparedness in hospitals, staffing needs and essential personnel."
 
"I took a course called community public health where we discussed some national emergencies and outbreaks," Hunt furthered. "The class discussed national emergencies with the flu and what to do there, as well as previous outbreaks like polio, measles, mumps and various other illnesses that have been eradicated due to vaccines."
 
In addition to their coursework, the former River Hawks all agreed that being a student-athlete played a major role in preparing them for anything life could throw their way.
 
"Being a student-athlete taught me what it was like to be a part of a team," said Regan. "Everyone has their role. It prepared me to be a leader in my field. I wouldn't trade my athletic time for anything. It taught me just as much as the books and classes taught me, and that training will be critical in organizing the fight against this disease."
  
"UMass Lowell fully prepared me to handle this fast-paced, high-stress career that I chose to get into," stated Loblundo. "With being both a nursing student and a Division I athlete, I was constantly on the go for four years, and that gave me the skills I need to keep on going, even when times get tough."
 
"From playing field hockey at UMass Lowell for four years, I will say that I'm not afraid to speak up as a new nurse if I feel something isn't right or should be different," Moser chimed in as a former teammate of Loblundo. "Because of the level of athletics at UMass Lowell, I am able to grasp information more quickly than others and am very detail-oriented on the job, which makes my patient care more individualized and more memorable for the patients. I'm very glad that I studied nursing and was a student-athlete at UML because both have made me strong in my career and have really shaped me into being a strong person."
 
These professionals and many other former River Hawks are doing their best to combat COVID-19 every day. However, because hospitals and supplies are already reaching capacity due to the fast spread of this pandemic, they cannot do it without our help.
 
"Stay away from other people, assume you have it, assume everyone around you has it," Regan implored. "Do not come to the hospital if you have a cough and a fever. Take some Tylenol and hydrate. All coming to the emergency department will do in that situation is expose others. Come to the emergency department if you are having trouble breathing. This is a disease of the lungs and if the lungs aren't functioning, then you need to come see us. If we do not heed the warnings and stay home, we will run out of resources like Italy has."
 
"Listen to the national and state regulations," added Lanfranchi. "We have seen firsthand the significant impact of controlling the spread through social distancing. If everyone takes their role seriously, I do believe it will have a significant impact on controlling the spread of this virus, especially to those most vulnerable."
 
"My best advice to the public right now is to stay at home and stay calm," concluded Loblundo. "We will get through this, but it may take some time. The quicker we can slow the spread, the better for everyone. Also, if you or anyone you know has any masks, gloves, gowns, etc. that you aren't using, please donate to a hospital near you."
 
Being a good citizen at this time goes well beyond the medical advice, though, as Hunt reminds us.
 
"Make smart choices. Be kind to one another. Be generous. Share what you have with others if able. Be patient as this dark part of our life will pass. Help others who may need help. Keep an eye out for the vulnerable who may need to be checked on and/or assisted. And lastly, stay united as one community, one country and one world."
 
So stay safe, River Hawk Nation. We are all in this together.