Pasadena Bed and Breakfast House Starts Gofundme Campaign to Help With Free Lodging for Medical Personnel

The Bissell House is raising money to provide free accommodations to Pasadena doctors on the frontline of the battle against the coronavirus.

The local historic seven-room Pasadena Bed and Breakfast so far is the only local institution offering lodging to local health care providers.

“Many doctors are seriously concerned that they may inadvertently infect their families if they go home,” organizers wrote on a Gofundme page at:gofundme.com/f/doctors-free-stay-at-the-bissell-house-spasadena.

“Frontline medical personnel will be working punishing hours-on-end for days at a time.”

So far $1,080 of the $50,000 goal has already been raised.

On Monday, Dorey Huston, Huntington Hospital spokesperson, said the hospital would unveil a lodging plan this week.

“We have been working on lodging accommodations for the providers that are most impacted by COVID-19 for some days now, and will have a plan in place this week to offer lodging to those who are working with COVID-19 positive patients.”

The Four Seasons Hotel is currently allowing health care providers to stay free of charge in New York.

“The hospitality industry is suffering right now,” said William Hoyman who owns the Bissell House. “It’s no secret to anybody. And we decided rather than just sitting looking at rooms that we were going to try to offer something for the common good here in the community so we came up with the idea to try to partner with local hospitals to offer our rooms to ICU and emergency department doctors. Hopefully we can make a small difference and also bring more attention to this.”

Hoyman would not say how many first responders are currently staying in the house.

Employees working in the hospital’s COVID-19 unit have been pushing for lodging options.

So far more than 5,300 people have signed a petition calling for lodging for the workers at the hospital.

“Frontline healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, nurse’s assistants and respiratory therapists are working around the clock to treat
coronavirus patients,” the petition reads. “Along with long hours, PPE shortages, and for some, a long commute home, these individuals are plagued with worries of exposing their families and loved ones at home. They need the support and help from the community to have a safe place to isolate after a long hospital shift to rest and regenerate.”