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.