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I Make Comics About Healthcare Workers To Shed Light On The Issues They Are Going Through (12 New Pics)
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I Make Comics About Healthcare Workers To Shed Light On The Issues They Are Going Through (12 New Pics)

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Since the 1st of April, I started creating a series of heartwarming comics to show my respect for our tireless healthcare workers. These short comics are mostly inspired by real-life and what these Healthcare Heroes are experiencing every day.

After the first set of 14 comics, I continued and created 10 more. Hope that more of us can appreciate the sacrifices that healthcare workers around the world are making.

More info: Instagram

Hugs

Since the 1st of April 2020, I started creating a series of heartwarming comics to show my respect for our tireless healthcare workers. These short comics are mostly inspired by real life and what these Healthcare Heroes are experiencing every day.

After the first set of 14 comics, I continued and created many more. Hope that more of us can appreciate the sacrifices that healthcare workers around the world are making.

Between April 2020 – June 2020, I created about 30+ short comics in total, inspired by real-life stories of Healthcare Heroes. That was the period whereby Singapore had our ‘Circuit Breaker’, which is our version of a partial lockdown and everyone had to work from home, and dining out was prohibited. Those 3-4 months became really productive for me as I was hoping to contribute positively while being stuck indoors. I was averaging one comic (between 5-8 frames) about every 3 days, and constantly looking for new inspiration for healthcare workers’ related stories from the media.

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I started sharing this comic series on my Facebook and Instagram accounts and very soon, it attracted the attention of healthcare professionals and their families. There were doctors and nurses from all over the world who wrote to me to share their appreciation for these comics and to also tell me how they were touched by these works. Families of healthcare workers also contacted me to share their thoughts and experiences. I found new inspirations from some of these emails and private messages, and many of the subsequent works in the series were the results from these correspondences.

By the end of June 2020, it seemed like everyone was starting to get pandemic fatigue, including myself. And that was when I wanted to take a break and stopped working on the series. I got back to creating children’s picture books, which was what I was doing before COVID started. At that time, I did not expect that the short break would stretch to almost a year.

In May 2021, after almost a year, Singapore started to experience an outbreak in the community, due to an infected case in a hospital. That resulted in many people fearing and shunning healthcare workers in uniforms. A voluntary group of healthcare workers in Singapore contacted me and hoped I could help draw something to support and encourage the healthcare professionals. They shared with me many short anecdotes from these HCWs on how they were being ill-treated by the public. I felt very strongly after hearing these stories and that gave me the inspiration to draw a story of how these Healthcare ‘Heroes’ ended up becoming ‘Zeroes’.

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A big salute to the real heroes

That comic sparked a lot of reactions when I shared it online. On Instagram, that post was liked by over 22,000, along with thousands of shares, the most I ever had. It got many people to sit up and see what the healthcare workers were going through, despite their sacrifices. And that story made me realise the power of a good visual story and how it can bring awareness to social issues. Following that, I started to create more visual commentary stories that bring attention to social issues.

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Appreciate our “invisible” heroes

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Nursing schools and license regulations are being lifted in many countries to allow nursing students and retired nurses to return to the workforce easily

Stay strong

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Family love and support is always the best energy booster

The fighting spirit lives on

Many healthcare workers are getting attacked or shunned, and even rendered homeless

Courage is not the absence of fear

Many healthcare workers on the front line have been in overdrive for over a year fighting this global pandemic, with no end in sight

Even as healthcare workers are being applauded as heroes, they are also getting attacked or shunned for being on the frontlines in the battle with COVID-19

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nyssatrinkle avatar
Mavi Hava
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I just love these comics. If you really think about each one, they almost make you cry. I also read the other 14, if you haven't you should definitely go see them.

nuagedecelda avatar
denisbrown avatar
Denis Brown
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful! Just absolutely wonderful and I am NOT crying...

dil-emma-r-w avatar
Lemon Garnished Potato
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is... wow... I knew it was tough for medical workers during this time but I didn't realise these were the levels. These were heartwarming, heart breaking and most of all, showing which of us have the biggest hearts. Those willing to put their lives on the line for others.

josef_lee avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! We will never truly understand how tough it is for the healthcare workers. They are really making huge sacrifices and we should all appreciate them so much more.

Load More Replies...
katie-trondsen avatar
KT Trondsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have noticed people are scared of me, my neighbours they don't want to get too close or their kids close to mind, but i see them get close to the others and other kids etc. It's hard I feel like a pariah

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Virtual hugs. The only kind we can give these days. My neighbors stay away from me, too.

Load More Replies...
l-hilyer avatar
Liz the Wanderer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been an RN for 30 years. Never faced anything like this. The virus we can manage. The abuse is a new concept. What ignorant people to shun the few of us who care. Verbal accusations and physical attacks. I have already sold my home. My last day in nursing is December 30. You think health care is expensive now? When there are no nurses, it will double, along with death rates. We are tired of dying for the stupid and ignorant.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom was a nurse 40-plus years. Go you! You've done your share and then some. Got my MD half my lifespan ago, and the virus is... what it is. The people? ... Yeah, I never imagined this much stupid outside a flock fo chickens.

Load More Replies...
sharronlynnparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are excellent, great art work, Mr. Lee, also, you said things, I was not aware of, if some people feel the need, for distance from medical staff, how would they feel, if all staff stayed home, thanks for this, Mr. Lee !!!

josef_lee avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for liking them :) I was also very surprised to learn about many of these things, until I read up on them or know about these experiences from healthcare workers who wrote to me. More people need to know about what they are going through, and that's why I did this series of comics.

Load More Replies...
parkyunhee avatar
park yunhee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh man this just hits hard and heavy. Praying for a cure soon

josef_lee avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad the stories touched your heart :) I was also holding back my tears when I drew some of these stories 😥😥

Load More Replies...
jeffcicale avatar
JeffC
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely beautiful and thank you for sharing these comics with us let alone making them. Damn onion ninjas got me good...

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was supposed to have Monday off. Instead, I worked doubles this past weekend, then Monday, and my usual TW, before I have FSS again. I have a medical degree. In the last 18-plus months, I've been called a liar, a murderer, and been spat on. I held a woman's hand as she took her toddler off life support, b/c... Covid got her little one. Aformer athlete in his mid-20s, needs double lung transplant. I've done whatever job the hospital needed, from ER triage to greeter to taking vitals. We lost a colleague to suicide in 2020. I'm in mandatory counseling b/c of suicidal thoughts. And I'm still going in tomorrow. Because if I quit, too, who the he** is left? ... We're already short staffed, running out of oxygen, and watching people say a vaccine mandate is fascism. Like 780K dead is okay. (US total alone). I'm triple-shot, facing Omicron, and I come on BP and now I'm crying. B/c it's way too true. I really miss hugs.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Note: I mean we are running out of oxygen, as in medical oxygen, the stuff in tanks. Not a metaphor. And I really miss hugs. We can't even hug each other when we lose a patient. It's so *lonely*.

Load More Replies...
theliss avatar
Mimi La Souris
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thank you for putting words on the pain, telling the other side of the story. THANK YOU <3 eaec38b873...cb874d.jpg eaec38b87381bdc0a39f43d76f1fbe14-61b201acb874d.jpg

evelynlc500 avatar
Animal lover❤
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every time I read these I start crying. To any essential workers reading this, thank you. I know it's not much and you deserve more but it's all I can give you. Thank you for your service, your perseverance, and your courage.

josef_lee avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad the stories touched your heart :) Thank you for liking them! And yes, the Healthcare workers and everyone working I the frontlines are truly HEROES!!

Load More Replies...
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't read comics with so powerfull messages before! Great job!

klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were heart-achingly beautiful and gorgeously done. I feel like we have so much collective trauma that we have not yet addressed surrounding this pandemic that turned so much upside down and has changed so many lives. Thank you for sharing the unsung work, reality, and stories of all of these healthcare workers. They are true heroes that risk their lives to help our loved ones. Yet, we often forget that they are also normal people who are just as vulnerable as all of us.

polmacqueron avatar
Pol Macqueron
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow... just wow... very moving, completely necessary and beautiful! Damn ninja chopping onions!

kittypie846 avatar
Gina Festa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for making beautiful comics about our heroes the doctor/nurses, it tough for them, for being shame for cant hug their loved one in fear and i want to thank for the doctors and nurses for taking care of us, soon this horrible nightmare will end

emeliatruluck52 avatar
parker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my dad is a nurse I love him and he is the best dad ever, all the nurses and doctors who read this thank you

dk_5 avatar
D K
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Registered Nurse and Infection Preventionist, this hit hard.

tk421 avatar
TK 421
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is everyday life at my hospital. We get through by pulling pranks on each other, holding unofficial junk food potlucks, and joking around as much as possible when we’re pretty sure no one’s going to report us. It’s a shame the administration doesn’t see that we need more people and more time off to decompress, but I’m glad to have a good team to work with.

gwivypanda avatar
leahhelbig avatar
Leah Helbig
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok i work in healthcare and have worked in the covud units and with COVID patients and i dont know where this is happening but its not happening here. I have literally had patients that were positive cough in my face with no ppe and i still havent gotten covid or brought it home. I really am conviced that some people on this earth cannot get it. And now they are actually studying healthcare workers like myself that have been exposed so many times and never caught it. And no i dont wear a mask outside of work and i am not vaccinated

lolat5082 avatar
Lori T Wisconsin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too bad. Qcumbers like you just spread the disease like Typhoid Mary. Is it fun to brag about ignorance?

Load More Replies...
kyrilchoumarov avatar
Kyril Choumarov
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

These are really stupid Enough w the “I’m so great because I’m a doctor” Do your job and quit looking for praise!!

lilyanarodriguez avatar
Luna Lovegood (she/they)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not "I'm so great I'm a doctor", although if doctor's were going to say that they would have every right to. Think about how many people would be dead without doctors. That deserves praise. They are the ones who actually serve.

Load More Replies...
nyssatrinkle avatar
Mavi Hava
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I just love these comics. If you really think about each one, they almost make you cry. I also read the other 14, if you haven't you should definitely go see them.

nuagedecelda avatar
denisbrown avatar
Denis Brown
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful! Just absolutely wonderful and I am NOT crying...

dil-emma-r-w avatar
Lemon Garnished Potato
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is... wow... I knew it was tough for medical workers during this time but I didn't realise these were the levels. These were heartwarming, heart breaking and most of all, showing which of us have the biggest hearts. Those willing to put their lives on the line for others.

josef_lee avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! We will never truly understand how tough it is for the healthcare workers. They are really making huge sacrifices and we should all appreciate them so much more.

Load More Replies...
katie-trondsen avatar
KT Trondsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have noticed people are scared of me, my neighbours they don't want to get too close or their kids close to mind, but i see them get close to the others and other kids etc. It's hard I feel like a pariah

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Virtual hugs. The only kind we can give these days. My neighbors stay away from me, too.

Load More Replies...
l-hilyer avatar
Liz the Wanderer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been an RN for 30 years. Never faced anything like this. The virus we can manage. The abuse is a new concept. What ignorant people to shun the few of us who care. Verbal accusations and physical attacks. I have already sold my home. My last day in nursing is December 30. You think health care is expensive now? When there are no nurses, it will double, along with death rates. We are tired of dying for the stupid and ignorant.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom was a nurse 40-plus years. Go you! You've done your share and then some. Got my MD half my lifespan ago, and the virus is... what it is. The people? ... Yeah, I never imagined this much stupid outside a flock fo chickens.

Load More Replies...
sharronlynnparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are excellent, great art work, Mr. Lee, also, you said things, I was not aware of, if some people feel the need, for distance from medical staff, how would they feel, if all staff stayed home, thanks for this, Mr. Lee !!!

josef_lee avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for liking them :) I was also very surprised to learn about many of these things, until I read up on them or know about these experiences from healthcare workers who wrote to me. More people need to know about what they are going through, and that's why I did this series of comics.

Load More Replies...
parkyunhee avatar
park yunhee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh man this just hits hard and heavy. Praying for a cure soon

josef_lee avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad the stories touched your heart :) I was also holding back my tears when I drew some of these stories 😥😥

Load More Replies...
jeffcicale avatar
JeffC
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely beautiful and thank you for sharing these comics with us let alone making them. Damn onion ninjas got me good...

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was supposed to have Monday off. Instead, I worked doubles this past weekend, then Monday, and my usual TW, before I have FSS again. I have a medical degree. In the last 18-plus months, I've been called a liar, a murderer, and been spat on. I held a woman's hand as she took her toddler off life support, b/c... Covid got her little one. Aformer athlete in his mid-20s, needs double lung transplant. I've done whatever job the hospital needed, from ER triage to greeter to taking vitals. We lost a colleague to suicide in 2020. I'm in mandatory counseling b/c of suicidal thoughts. And I'm still going in tomorrow. Because if I quit, too, who the he** is left? ... We're already short staffed, running out of oxygen, and watching people say a vaccine mandate is fascism. Like 780K dead is okay. (US total alone). I'm triple-shot, facing Omicron, and I come on BP and now I'm crying. B/c it's way too true. I really miss hugs.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Note: I mean we are running out of oxygen, as in medical oxygen, the stuff in tanks. Not a metaphor. And I really miss hugs. We can't even hug each other when we lose a patient. It's so *lonely*.

Load More Replies...
theliss avatar
Mimi La Souris
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thank you for putting words on the pain, telling the other side of the story. THANK YOU <3 eaec38b873...cb874d.jpg eaec38b87381bdc0a39f43d76f1fbe14-61b201acb874d.jpg

evelynlc500 avatar
Animal lover❤
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every time I read these I start crying. To any essential workers reading this, thank you. I know it's not much and you deserve more but it's all I can give you. Thank you for your service, your perseverance, and your courage.

josef_lee avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad the stories touched your heart :) Thank you for liking them! And yes, the Healthcare workers and everyone working I the frontlines are truly HEROES!!

Load More Replies...
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't read comics with so powerfull messages before! Great job!

klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were heart-achingly beautiful and gorgeously done. I feel like we have so much collective trauma that we have not yet addressed surrounding this pandemic that turned so much upside down and has changed so many lives. Thank you for sharing the unsung work, reality, and stories of all of these healthcare workers. They are true heroes that risk their lives to help our loved ones. Yet, we often forget that they are also normal people who are just as vulnerable as all of us.

polmacqueron avatar
Pol Macqueron
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow... just wow... very moving, completely necessary and beautiful! Damn ninja chopping onions!

kittypie846 avatar
Gina Festa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for making beautiful comics about our heroes the doctor/nurses, it tough for them, for being shame for cant hug their loved one in fear and i want to thank for the doctors and nurses for taking care of us, soon this horrible nightmare will end

emeliatruluck52 avatar
parker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my dad is a nurse I love him and he is the best dad ever, all the nurses and doctors who read this thank you

dk_5 avatar
D K
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Registered Nurse and Infection Preventionist, this hit hard.

tk421 avatar
TK 421
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is everyday life at my hospital. We get through by pulling pranks on each other, holding unofficial junk food potlucks, and joking around as much as possible when we’re pretty sure no one’s going to report us. It’s a shame the administration doesn’t see that we need more people and more time off to decompress, but I’m glad to have a good team to work with.

gwivypanda avatar
leahhelbig avatar
Leah Helbig
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok i work in healthcare and have worked in the covud units and with COVID patients and i dont know where this is happening but its not happening here. I have literally had patients that were positive cough in my face with no ppe and i still havent gotten covid or brought it home. I really am conviced that some people on this earth cannot get it. And now they are actually studying healthcare workers like myself that have been exposed so many times and never caught it. And no i dont wear a mask outside of work and i am not vaccinated

lolat5082 avatar
Lori T Wisconsin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too bad. Qcumbers like you just spread the disease like Typhoid Mary. Is it fun to brag about ignorance?

Load More Replies...
kyrilchoumarov avatar
Kyril Choumarov
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

These are really stupid Enough w the “I’m so great because I’m a doctor” Do your job and quit looking for praise!!

lilyanarodriguez avatar
Luna Lovegood (she/they)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not "I'm so great I'm a doctor", although if doctor's were going to say that they would have every right to. Think about how many people would be dead without doctors. That deserves praise. They are the ones who actually serve.

Load More Replies...
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