Thank You

I’d like to interrupt my Power of One blog posts series this week for some well-deserved thank yous. In the midst of everything that’s going on right now, it can be easy to be so focused on protecting ourselves and our families that we forget about the brave people risking their own health every day to help us do it. So, in no particular order:

· Thank you to the hospitals for going above and beyond, for working long hours, and for bravely facing the worst that this epidemic has to offer.

· Thank you to the healthcare providers, for risking your own safety to serve the needs of others.

· Thank you to the truck drivers for traversing the interstates, refilling the shelves, and keeping necessary things moving.

· Thank you to those working in grocery stores, pharmacies, and all stores that sell necessities. It all implodes without you.

· Thank you to the custodians, facilities crews, and maintenance folks. Cleanliness is more important now than ever, and the work that you do to provide it is appreciated.

· Thank you to the public safety community (police, fire, emergency, security). Your jobs are never easy, and they’ve gotten even harder recently.

· Thank you to the scientists and technicians. The work you do is often out of sight, but it’s oh so important.

· Thank you to those working to get the word out. To inform, to protect, and to tell us the stories of people being decent to each other despite everything. You’re helping us stay safe, and you’re giving us hope.

· Thank you to the parents who find themselves juggling even more than normal as this situation disrupts their work, their income, and their childcare. God bless you all.

· Thank you to the folks out there making tough decisions and providing leadership through this crisis. Your days are long, and there is little appreciation given, but you keep trying to do the right thing anyway.

Even in crisis, there is much for which to be thankful. Reject attempts to divide us. Extend support to those in need. Together, we will get through this and we’ll be better when we come out the other side.

Stay safe.