TSA Agents at Newark Airport Are Making Get-Well Cards for Coronavirus Patients

During the coronavirus epidemic, any good news is really good news. And one piece of heartwarming news is coming from the Transportation Security Administration officers at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Because so many people in New Jersey were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and so few people are traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic, TSA agents are using some of their downtime to make get-well cards and send them to the nearby Community Medical Center in Toms River, New Jersey. The cards are not just notes wishing better health to patients sick with the coronavirus in isolation. They also make cards with words of encouragement for the medical staff who are treating sick patients.

The TSA agents have TSA officer Cynthia Hoyle to thank for the good idea. Hoyle’s cousin is a local nurse and thought that get well cards of encouragement might be helpful. Hoyle brought that idea to her colleagues and the letter-writing began.

“We in TSA are no stranger to challenges or even danger,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey. “Our daily work requires us to potentially be in harm’s way, as we seek to detect dangerous people and items so they don’t harm others or our transportation network.

“However, we are now tasked to do that same hard work in the midst of a global pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives and sickened countless others.  Once again, TSA New Jersey is standing tall and answering our call to duty.  It has hit us hard. More than two dozen of our staff contracted this awful virus, and one of our canine handlers, Frank Boccabella, passed away as a result. Yet, our team carries on, not only supporting each other in this challenging environment but also supporting the community as a whole. I’m extremely proud of them.”

So far, TSA officers have created 70 cards using construction paper, markers, and glue. Since no visitors are allowed to enter the hospital, Hoyle’s cousin takes the cards with her to the hospital to deliver to staff members and patients.

[Image Source: pxfuel]