This pandemic has forced doctors, nurses, and other workers in the medical field to ware full-body personal protective equipment (PPE) and let’s face it, it looks really scary. That’s why one respiratory therapist came up with a brilliant idea, to put a picture of him smiling on his PPE. Soon, other health care workers followed suit.

Now instead of only looking at the scary-looking safety gear, they’re greeted with a huge smile!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-kH5YHDzBt/

“Yesterday I felt bad for my patients in ER when I would come in the room with my face covered in PPE. A reassuring smile makes a big difference to a scared patient. So today I made a giant laminated badge for my PPE. So my patients can see a reassuring and comforting smile.” Dr. Rodriguez wrote on his Instagram.

These health care workers put pictures of themselves with huge smiles on their PPE to try and help ease the minds of patients

Robertino Rodriguez is a respiratory therapist who went viral on Instagram for an incredible idea to put his smiling picture on his personal protective gear

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-CpfB7A3hO/

After being inspired by Rodriguez, a nurse who does dialysis was among the first to share a picture of himself and coworkers with photos on their PPE

Nurse, Derek Devault shared his picture with Rodriguez and the movement Began. Soon, many health care workers were sharing their smiling photos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-qNufiDwGN/

“I was sent this photo by @derekdevaultthey saw my photo online and wanted to share their smiles with their patients too. Amazing healthcare heroes. We chose this profession because of our compassionate hearts.” Rodrigues wrote after reposting Derek’s picture

Other health care employees loved the idea and also started putting pictures of themselves smiling on their PPE

After Rodriguez’s post went viral, many other people fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines were inspired and also started sharing pictures of their PPE with photos attached. Dr. Rodriguez has started a movement out of the pictures called “Share Your Smile.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-7b2t_D58O/

“Some angels don’t have wings, they have stethoscopes. This awesome Respiratory Therapist is sharing her smile with her patients.” Wrote Rodriguez.

The movement traveled all around the world, pictures from other countries like Brazil started making their way to Rodriguez

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-w_8zGjkM3/

Three health care workers sent pictures of themselves with pictures of them smiling on their PPE. One Physician from Brazil even put a picture of The Little Mermaid on her PPE for the children at her hospital!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-7bS7AD-Z1/

“Sharing their smile all around the world. Received photos from different countries of healthcare heroes smiling at their patients. Their hearts are as big as their compassionate smiles,” a picture all the way from doctors in Brazil was captioned

Artists on Instagram even picked up on the movement and began sending portrait illustrations

This amazing artist sent an awesome illustration of Rodriguez with a picture of himself smiling on his personal protective gear.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-r28wljEAV/

“Thank you @shaunaharrisonillustrationfor this portrait. I’m honored”

Another artist sent a terrific hand-sketched picture of three respiratory therapists helping a child in a hospital bed, all sporting their PPE with pictures on it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-zfuoyj2d-/

“Great artwork depicting the “Share Your Smile” by @joseflee.stories“

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ufFhxj14b/

This is so wonderful, these respiratory therapists on the front lines deserve praise for the fearless job they’re doing. For them to go out of their way in these circumstances, to make patients more comfortable brought tears to my eyes!

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Source: Instagram, My Modern Met