Pittsburgh COVIDsitters helping health care workers on the front lines

PITTSBURGH — Health care workers are bringing the stress of the job home with them each and every day and college medical students have taken notice.

While they’re stuck at home completing coursework, they’re now working to give back to them in a big way.

Helping the helpers, that’s the mission of the Pittsburgh COVIDsitters.

The nonprofit originally out of Minnesota is comprised entirely of college medical students.

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Witnessing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic firsthand, they formed a team of volunteers who help lighten the load for doctors, nurses and other health care workers.

Matched through a website, the Pittsburgh COVIDSitters go to the frontline workers’ homes to babysit, help with school work, complete daily chores and even grocery shop for them while they’re caring for sick patients.

Julia Schmutz and her fellow classmates from Ross University of Medicine have also partnered with University of Pittsburgh Medical students to make the greatest impact possible in the area.

“We try to match multiple volunteers to one healthcare worker’s family. And in this way it’s not too much of a burden for any one volunteer 'cause these health care workers need a whole work week of help,” Schmutz said.

Schmutz says they’re now looking to expand the program to people who aren’t in school.

You can sign up for their program through the PittsburghCOVIDsitters website.

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