A group of nurses hold up photographs of their colleagues who have died fighting the pandemic in front of the White House and read aloud their names to ask the US government for more protective gear on April 21, 2020. Protective equipment for frontline workers in the US has been in short supply during the COVID-19 pandemic, exposing medical staff to health risks. (Photos: kankanews; compiled by Du Xiaoying)

The nurses said they want to fight the COVID-19 with sufficient personal protective equipment like N95 masks and that they feel frightened over repeated usage of disposable face masks. Erica Jones, a nurse at Washington Hospital Center in D.C., said that Congress is working on a new Cares Act, but it does not involve protection for medical professionals.

Another nurse named Rachel said, “I would help anyone until I couldn’t, but I can’t help anyone if I’m dead or sick.” They called on US President Donald Trump to ensure healthcare workers have necessary supplies.