INDIANAPOLIS — Health care workers put themselves at risk in the frontline battle against COVID-19. But perhaps getting less recognition are the custodians risking infection while keeping hospitals clean for patients, doctors and nurses.
Race car driver Pippa Mann made a pit stop at Ascension St. Vincent Tuesday morning to thank those workers.
A Porsche Boxster race car drove up and parked at the entrance of the hospital. Mann drives the car for Shell in endurance racing. She came to the hospital to thank custodians for their endurance in the fight against COVID-19.
Mann handed out 50 $100 Shell gift cards to housekeeping staff. As a race car driver, she appreciates the critical role of the pit crew, the people behind the scenes at the racetrack - and at the hospital.
"Just as the drivers tend to get the glory in motor racing, doctors and nurses tend to get the glory in healthcare situations,” Mann said. “All of the frontline workers are at greater risk than the general population. So to be able to recognize another group of them, and to be able to do something small for them, is really, really fantastic."
"I think it's really cool that people are taking notice on what we do,” said Jordan Evans, an Ascension St. Vincent housekeeper who received one of the gift cards. “I don't feel like we're the heroes here. But it's great that people think we are."
Evans is back to work after recovering from what she calls a mild case of COVID-19, with a deeper appreciation for deep clean.
"With as many cases as we've had come in, especially in the ER, it's always go, go, go - COVID, COVID, COVID,” Evans said. “I've definitely learned it's very, very important to make sure you clean them real well. That way nobody else gets it."
"It's just so important in the current climate and the current environment that we all take the time to appreciate everyone,” Mann said. “Everybody's humans. We're all in this together. It shouldn't matter what your job title is, what color your skin is, we're all in this together."
Mann does not have a ride lined up for this year's Indianapolis 500, which is scheduled for August 23.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske has said the race will not be run if fans are not allowed to attend. Mann hopes there will be an Indy 500 this year and that she can still somehow race in it.