Last week, “06880” saluted Saugatuck Elementary School nurse Jane Sandri, and all her colleagues in the Westport district.
Being a school nurse in the best of times is a herculean — and thankless — task.
These are not the best of times.
Today we honor all those other healthcare workers on the frontlines during the pandemic.
Doctors, nurses, and the staffs in their medical offices. All have spent nearly 2 years dealing with the disease, up close and personal. They’ve diagnosed, treated and reassured their patients, while at the same time worrying about their families and loved ones — and themselves.
The men and women at the Westport Weston Health District. In a time of constantly shifting information, they’re out steady-as-she-goes go-to resources.
The pharmacists at CVS, Walgreens, Colonial Pharmacy, Achorn’s and elsewhere answer panicked questions and give vaccines in addition to their usual duties — and everyone else in their stores, who has been caught up in this tsunami.
Emergency workers like police, firefighters and EMTs have had far more than their share of interactions with COVID patients (and those they fear may be, or don’t even know themselves).
Ditto everyone who has volunteered at a vaccine clinic, or helped distribute testing kids.
And of course all those who work every day at a test center.
I’m sure there are many others who spend every day — 24/7/365 — deep in this viral mess.
If you’ve served us in any way throughout the crisis, you’ve done something special. That’s why you’re “06880”‘s Unsung Heroes of the Week.
And the year.
Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email nominations to dwoog@optonline.net.
Hooray!