On January 25, 2020, the first COVID case in Canada was reported. Since then, Canadians have lived with rising and falling virus numbers in three waves and a litany of ever-changing restrictions. We quickly became accustomed to hearing the term “front-line worker”. These are the people who have continued to go to work regardless of fluctuating COVID cases. As defined by the Canadian government, they perform duties in an essential service or function. This includes teachers, grocery store employees, and healthcare workers. Their jobs assure that the rest of us can be fed, protected, and cared for in a time when so many are scared and so much is uncertain. From the start, there has been a compulsion and a need to thank front-line workers for all that they do. Today’s blog looks at how we’re saying thank you to essential workers.
Thank a Nurse Campaign
Since today is International Nurses Day and this week is National Nurses Week, let’s start by thanking nurses. The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) came up with the thank a nurse campaign as a way to show these important front-line workers how thankful we are for their services. The CNA is asking people to write a thank you note or draw a picture—there’s even a template you can use. If you’re looking for an activity to do with the kids, this seems like a great teaching moment! Once you’ve completed your message, the CNA wants you to share it either by posting to your social media channels or by emailing a pic to them so they can post it. If you decide to participate, be sure to use the hashtag #ThankYouNurses
Neon Hero Hearts
If you live in the east end of Toronto, you might have noticed neon hearts in neighbourhood windows. These symbols of support are known as Neon Hero Hearts and they’re created by Moss LED. In the spring of 2020, Michael Garron Hospital had a PPE drive. Jeff Moss, the owner of Moss LED, and his team used their 3D printers to make face shields and donate them to the east-end hospital. This initial project led Moss to think of more ways he could support Michael Garron and the front-line workers in the hospital. His idea was to create neon hearts in a range of colours that people could display in their windows as a thank you to healthcare workers. Five dollars from each heart sold is donated to Michael Garron Hospital Foundation to recognize the heroes who are supporting the community. These hearts are an in-demand item and since December 2020, more than $6,000 has been donated.
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Sign Me Up
A simple way to show appreciation for front-line workers during the pandemic is by posting a sign. These have been adorning buildings, fences, windows, and more around the world since early 2020. People are anxious to show their gratitude for the those who continue to keep things running during a global pandemic. From handcrafted paper signs to light displays to chalk sidewalk drawings, we want to remind front-line workers that we appreciate them. Remember the hotel windows lit up in heart patterns? These larger-than-life thank you notes have been made by individuals and corporations alike.
Standing Ovations
Starting in the winter of 2020, people made noise to support healthcare workers. A lot of noise. There was screaming, clapping, banging pots and pans, even music. It was all in an effort to say: thank you for risking your lives every day. The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) started the Together We Can Do It campaign in March 2020. They suggested that at 7:30 every night, Ontarians step outside their homes and make some noise to cheer on health providers, social service, and other essential front-line workers in the province and around the world. Across Canada, areas started designating times to gather and give thanks by making a racket.
Outside Canada, people were also cheering. Videos from across the globe showed citizens expressing their thanks with noisy celebrations. In New York City, an area with high population density dealing with a terrible COVID surge, the streets echoed with a cacophony of noisy people. They were saying thank you to all the healthcare workers, delivery people, grocery store workers, and everyone else who left the safety of their homes every day to serve others. It was an act of unity that brought New Yorkers together. As of May 10, 32,864 people have died from COVID-19 in NYC. For perspective, 24,708 had succumbed to COVID-19 in all of Canada on the same date.
Show Your Support for Front-line Workers
It has been a difficult 14 months for all of us in Canada. But it’s been especially hard for the people who have never stopped going to work. For those who work in healthcare, the direct exposure to COVID has taken a toll. Here’s a list of Canada’s healthcare workers who have died of COVID-19 through April 30. Of course, there are many outside healthcare who have also passed away, but this is a snapshot of the range of ages and jobs in this field alone. The very least we can do is say thank you to the superheroes of the pandemic.
