WISCONSIN (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- As protests to reopen states grow across the country, there is also the perspective of frontline workers who have taken the brunt of this pandemic.

We talked to one Wisconsin first responder who is asking people to find a balance between their constitutional rights and social responsibility.

These days protests, have something else added to the mix of free speech.  A pandemic, which creates risks we've never experienced before.  

Many of the protestors who gathered in Brookfield over the weekend were not wearing masks and were standing close together.   

Something paramedic Jay Norgel said gets him "a little upset."  Norgel works for Lifestar EMS; he told us he understands the frustration, "so many people's lives have been potentially destroyed by this ... and we sympathize with that."  

But as a healthcare professional there's an added perspective. "When people start saying 'I'm going to do whatever I want,' and 'you can't tell me what to do' at some point I feel a person should have a sense of social responsibility," Norgel explained.

Lifestart EMS serves seven Wisconsin counties.  Paramedics are responding to numerous calls a day where the patient could be positive for COVID-19.  "It it actually scary for us too; we're all concerned about bringing this home to our families."

PPE is required for every call.  If a person is thought to be COVID-19 positive, paramedics wear N95 masks and gowns.  Lifestar's supply is good, for now.  Its portion of the federal government stockpile was just delivered, but any possible surge in cases would once again expose paramedics to even more risk.  

"All we can do is hope that we have enough PPE and we'll take it as it comes," Norgel pointed out.  Something he would like protestors to keep in mind, "it's a fine line between social freedom and having a sense of responsibility."