On this month's cover, an American Red Cross nurse checks a child's temperature as part of a COVID-19 screening protocol at a hotel in Livingston, Texas, following an April 2020 tornado that killed three people and destroyed 235 homes. Because of the pandemic, the Red Cross provided emergency shelter at the hotel instead of opening a traditional congregate shelter.

Figure. On this month's cover, an American Red Cross nurse checks a child's temperature as part of a COVID-19 screening protocol at a hotel in Livingston, Texas, following an April 2020 tornado that killed three people and destroyed 235 homes. Photo by Scott Dalton / American Red Cross.

Despite the challenges wrought by 2020, Red Cross nurses continued to step up to connect individuals with resources, provide comfort, and promote well-being, says American Red Cross chief nurse Linda M. MacIntyre, PhD, RN, PHN. "Because of the pandemic, Red Cross nurses have responded virtually and in person to meet disaster-related health and mental health needs, especially during last year's intense disaster season complicated by COVID-19." MacIntyre notes that nurse volunteers have many roles within the Red Cross and are needed to support its humanitarian efforts. Interested nurses can find opportunities at http://volunteerconnection.redcross.org.

In a March podcast, MacIntyre and AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy discuss what the tumultuous past year has been like for Red Cross operations, the valuable skills nurses can bring to the organization, and more. To listen, go to http://www.ajnonline.com and click on the "Multimedia" tab, and then on "Podcasts" and "Behind the Article."-Diane Szulecki, editor