Say Thank You to Essential Workers! & Other’s Advice!

When you are making essential trips outside of the home, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, say thank you to essential workers. Ask them how they are doing, be kind and express gratitude for their sacrifices and the work they are doing.

Being an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic means potentially exposing themselves and their families to COVID-19 while performing their job duties. Essential workers are having to deal with new stresses, like having to add social distancing measures to their jobs, dealing with changing shift work hours, and even managing their own changing childcare needs with school closures.

Who are the essential workers?  Health care professionals, grocery store employees, first responders, mail carriers and many others are still going to work every day. They’re risking their health to help our community.  Let’s show them how much we appreciate them.

Make Signs of Thank You:

Need a project to keep the kids busy? Got some construction paper lying Willie nellie around the house? Great! Kids love to be creative. Have your little ones help by drawing thank you signs for your neighbor, the essential worker, or that family member who’s an essential worker.

Support families of Essential Workers:

Maybe you have a neighbor whose an essential worker or a family member. If you are able, consider cooking a meal for your essential worker’s family, so they have less to worry about, or pick up groceries when you make your own trip to the grocery store.  Remember every little bit helps.

Don’t Have the Time but Want To Show Your Support:  Maybe you don’t time to spend doing some of the things I mentioned. But don’t give up!  You can still show your appreciation in other ways. Here are a few gift ideas.

 

·                  Gift Cards: Essential workers might not have as much time to cook for themselves, so give them gift cards to local restaurants or food delivery services.

·                  Entertainment: They could probably use an escape now more than ever. Help them take a mental break with a streaming subscription, a book or a preloaded e-reader.

·                  Home Essentials: Your favorite frontline workers are also braving the grocery store for the basics. Gift them a healthy stash of hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and other must-haves to save them a trip.

·                  Self-Care Items: Everyone deserves a few minutes to relax each day, no matter how busy work might be. Help local essential workers take a load off with soothing soaps, lotions and bath salts and oils.

·                  Thank-You Note: Sometimes the best gifts are the simple ones. You can leave a handwritten thank-you card, send a friendly text message or write a thoughtful email.

You will be amazed how a simple “Thank You” can make someone’s day and let our essential workers know, just how much they mean to us.