Heroes Walk Amongst Us
Everyday Americans are risking their health to provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the World Health Association declared COVID-19 a pandemic, I froze. It seemed like time put on the brakes. Every disaster movie I’d seen flooded my thoughts. I imagined panicked masses roaming the streets in a daze.
However, that’s not where the masses decided to flock. They were in the grocery store swooping up toilet paper as if 10 packages were the cure to COVID -19. It was madness watching the store shelves empty. But as quickly as they emptied of meats and other staples a grocery store worker was there restocking. They were running in and out the backroom in a well-coordinated dance.
I didn’t catch a glimpse of rudeness. They were efficient yet helpful when questions were asked of them. They are keeping us fed. Even when customers are rude they smile and direct them where they need to go. It serves no purpose to respond curtly to an emotional customer.
At the register, the cashier smiled and efficiently rung up my groceries. I inquired about his well being. I was expecting him to vent some frustration. Instead, he stated he was happy to have a job and the opportunity to help people in this time of need. I thanked him for serving the community and risking his own wellbeing.
Every grocery store employee is a hero. They come every day to fill store shelves that are stripped bare. They offer a sense of normalcy in a crazy world.
Delivery drivers and truckers are moving goods and services to the consumer every day of this pandemic. Food delivery drivers bring your tacos to the door and drop off with a smile. These women and men are doing this in the face of sickness. They go to the grocery store and shop for you. It’s a danger they are willing to accept because its understood they are not only helping your family but their’s also. Remember when you order from any of the delivery services you are providing a source of income for a fellow worker and citizen.
Right now truckers are more important than ever. A trucker was recently interviewed on a local news channel . She was tired but still focused on the importance of her job. She was delivering meat to a grocer. She stated in her interview people shouldn’t panic buy because she was still working. The food supply is moving because she and her fellow truckers are still roaring down the highway. That case of bottled water that you buy at the store is there because a trucker made the sacrifice to make their delivery. These men and women are a vital cog in the maintaining of our essential needs.
We all are aware of the problem of personal protection equipment. Its been in the news for weeks now that hard-hit areas like New York, Washington, and Louisiana don’t have enough of this equipment to protect our first line of defense- our doctors and nurses. They are risking their lives and their families well being by working without a sufficient supply of masks, gloves, and other protective equipment.
Nurses and doctors are falling ill with COVID 19 regularly. A hospital in Maryland has hired 54 temporary nurses to fill the void left by ill medical personnel.
In my state of Illinois, the governor has asked recently retires doctors and nurses to come back into the profession. Its a war and we need all the soldiers we can muster onto the field.
Its a tragedy in the most powerful country in the world we cannot obtain or create the PPE needed by our medical community. They are working long hours to save lives. It’s disrespectful that nurses and doctors must reuse protective equipment because of shortages in their facility.
Why can’t we use our vast resources to provide what’s needed? I can only imagine how worthless that makes a medical professional feel. N95 masks are being worn for five days in one New York hospital when it’s only intended to be used one time. This is a danger to the patient and the nurse.
Our nation must do better protecting these heroes. They go to work every day not missing a shift and help the sick and dying. Without them, there would be no hope for recovery. They offer comfort to patients who must navigate the disease alone. Family isn’t allowed to visit coronavirus patients because of a high chance of infection. The nurse or doctor is usually the only human interaction a patient has while in the hospital or at the moment of death.
We know our medical professionals have their own fears. They must return home to their children and spouses and worry about infecting their loved ones. The stress has to be unbearable.
Some of our essential personnel will fall ill to COVID-19 because they remained at their post during this viral outbreak. Some may lose their lives because they thought of others as they committed to their duties to keep America running during a biological war.
When this is all over I hope we don’t forget the sacrifices made by the grocery workers, delivery drivers, truckers and medical professionals. Furthermore, lets not forget the utility workers, cab driver, city workers, police , firemen, and fast food employees who are risking their health each day they punch in. We must not allow any essential worker to go unnoticed or thanked. If you are interacting with a person performing an essential duty please thank them.
Some of our essential personnel will fall ill to COVID-19 because they stayed at their post during this viral outbreak. Some may lose their lives because they thought of others as they committed to their duties to keep America running during a biological war.
The role of the essential worker reminds me of how a commander tells a soldier to take the point in a battle. If you didn’t know, that’s the front of the line. They will bear the brunt of the onslaught from the enemy. Vital workers are running point for us against a silent and unseen adversary. In this writers opinion that’s the definition of a hero.
Peace and stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Estacious(Charles White) is a 23-year educator. He began writing over 25 years ago. His work experience encompasses managing schools and teaching a variety of subjects. His passions are poetry, short fiction, playwrighting, and non-fiction. He won one of six prizes in the Rockford play festival for his play “Incarcerated Christmas”. He is married with three children and a native of New Orleans.