The Hospital de Clínicas began its care tasks in the month of July 1894, thus it reaches the age of 126 years of institutional life in the middle of the SARS COV 2 pandemic ^1,2. Since its establishment, the Hospital has become a point of reference in the health system of Paraguay, providing care assistance without discrimination, specially to the most vulnerable people, many of them arriving at our emergency rooms only with what they were carrying and hoping to recover their health. Over the years difficult situations have hit our Hospital, for example a pandemic in 1918, a war in 1932, and also ideological and political persecutions. However, this never affected our performance as well as our care assistance program, emphasizing thus the characteristics that stand out to us: solidarity and empathy of the professionals who take forward this glorious Hospital.

Nowadays, a viral pathology started on the other side of the world, which in just three months made its appearance in Paraguay- the Coronavirus (COVID 19), forced us to rethink our entire healthcare system, update our medical protocols, and specially to provide to health officials with the necessary tools for a safe assistance ^3,4.

At the beginning of the pandemic, we had a very difficult stage because of a widespread panic. This critical time, however, was undone with training and support of valuable professionals who carried out a whole process of reconversion, in which it was possible to transform the attitude of the staff towards this novel virus into respect and prudence.

The human resources assigned to direct care on contingency areas demonstrated their capacity and courage by being at the forefront of this tough fight that was beginning with scarcity of resources and little governmental support. But today we are day by day struggling to sustain hospital activities and to provide the greatest security to our health officials and thus to ensure the continuity of services.

There is a relevant element that we must take into account: the mental health, which is being seriously affected, often imperceptibly. In this context, the work environment plays an important role and we must transform it into a harmonious and pleasant placed with support, solidarity, and respect for all co-workers.

As a colleague at a meeting of the Contingency Committee remarked, “This virus came to audit our hospital”, making it clear that we should absolutely review and amend our conducts. This will necessarily change the way we handle ourselves forever. The return to normality as we lived it before will no longer be possible. The notion of “THE NEW NORMAL” must be installed as a pattern of conduct, in which hygiene and social distancing are always present in our daily tasks ^5,6.

Only solidarity between all of us who live day to day in the hospital will move us forward, leaving personal interests aside and prioritizing the common good. We must restore the values that have always characterized our beloved Hospital de Clínicas and make them our greatest strength. Only standing together, we will be able to overcome not only this situation but also any adverse situation that may arise in the future.

It is up to us that future generations continue to maintain the spirit of struggle, which is a feature of our institution. And this goal we will not achieve with empty speeches, but with example, carrying out our tasks with responsibility and excellence.

The Hospital de Clínicas is established by all those who day after day leave their homes and families to serve others with respect, affection, and professionalism. Therefore, it is fair to pay tribute to all of them who silently fulfill their tasks for the health of the Paraguayan people.