Watching the news during the coronavirus pandemic can be stressful, anxiety-provoking, and dizzying with all the new information, facts, and figures out daily. While trying to stay up-to-date on the latest, it can be easy to miss stories of hope and celebration — and in Boston, a city rife with tight-knight communities, there are many worth noting. Here are some of the most heartwarming stories of Bostonians honoring essential workers during the pandemic.
The Boston Marathon, possible the most famous modern race in the world, was meant to take place on the third Monday of April, Patriots’ Day. It’s now been rescheduled for September 14th, but the event organizers still used the original date to send out a heartwarming message thanking essential workers, including medical personnel, police officers, firefighters, grocery store workers, custodians, postal workers, delivery drivers, and more. Boston’s Mayor Marty Walsh shared the message, while urging people to not attempt to run the route. The day was also turned into “A Patriots’ Day of Giving” to raise money for the Massachusetts COVID-19 relief fund. The daffodils, a symbol of hope after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which usually line the route of the marathon were donated to hospitals for employees to take home.
Other heartwarming stories of emergency personnel who put themselves in the infection’s path in the line of duty and contracted the illness include that of Boston police officer Omar Borges. He was recently released from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to thunderous applause, as hundreds of his fellow officers showed up to see him off.
Here at GO Boston, we hope you’re staying safe and healthy. We’ll see you when this is over!
Photo Credit: Public Domain Pictures