David Archuleta understands that many people are heartbroken, anxious and depressed during this pandemic. To help ease those feelings, he released the song “Just Breathe.”
The accompanying video highlights front-line health care workers from Valleywise Health, formerly known as Maricopa Integrated Health System.
The video features clips from Valleywise Health’s first discharge of a COVID-19 patient on April 10. The video shows nurses and employees clapping as the patient is wheeled through the lobby of Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix. To see the video, visit youtu.be/cUh5lqGoenY
“I felt like it was timely to work on this project and have it come out during this time,” Archuleta says from his Nashville home. “People need to feel relief and to find peace in tumultuous times. I needed to get this song out.”
Valleywise was equally as touched by the inclusion.
“Seeing the Valleywise Health patient discharge video in the beautifully written ‘Just Breathe’ video was incredible,” says Jo-el Detzel, vice president, ancillary and support services at Valleywise Health.
“It really illustrates all of the trials and tribulations that we have all had to endure through this pandemic. The support for all health care workers is evident and a true breath of fresh air and on behalf of all our amazing staff that came together to provide exceptional care, we appreciate the opportunity to share that joyful experience of seeing our patient going home with the world.”
The Nashville-based artist, who became a star at age 16 through his appearances on “American Idol” season 7, filmed the video entirely in self-quarantine. Valleywise Health provided the video to support Archuleta’s fund-raising project.
“We’re all in isolation to prevent anything from happening,” he says. “Still, there a lot of people who can’t do that. We wanted to be able to say that even though everything’s spinning around, you can still get through it and still find peace.”
Archuleta says he handled the pandemic well. He was supposed to be on tour, but like other jaunts and gatherings, it was postponed.
“It’s not bad,” he says. “When I heard that, that’s when I realized how serious it was. We were watching the news and we thought we needed to postpone the tour.
“I can still release music online and still do interviews on the phone or Zoom, Skype or Instagram. I can connect with people and perform in a smaller or more simple way online. I was lucky. I went to the grocery store and bought all kinds of stuff before it started getting really intense. I haven’t had to go to the grocery store.”
David Archuleta
“Just Breathe”
youtu.be/cUh5lqGoenY
