Silver linings from a pandemic

As our country continues to navigate through the turbulence of COVID-19, it’s understandable to feel heightened levels of stress and uncertainty. I want to share just a few positives we can be thankful for and take heart in during these trying times.

Across the country, signs hang, music plays, and people applaud during hospital shift changes all to honor the true heroes of this pandemic — emergency medicine physicians, critical care doctors and nurses, respiratory therapists, infectious disease experts, epidemiologists, and others who are on the front lines of patient care. At the same time, those working on the front lines of treating patients during this pandemic continue to support each other, as a community of medical professionals, further strengthening an unbreakable bond while sharing ideas and learnings that could save lives.

As a society, we have found new ways to stay connected and reconnect – showing that physical separation doesn’t necessarily have to create distance; it can mean deeper and more meaningful connections. I’ve seen car parades to celebrate recent high school and college graduates, birthday parties hosted over video chat, virtual health and fitness challenges, and so many other creative displays of unity in recent months. We are also surrounded by wonderful examples of people caring for one another, from far-reaching campaigns in support of social justice to the simple act of kindness that is putting on a protective mask to keep ourselves and those around us safe. 

The road ahead won’t be easy, but it is these acts of caring and selflessness happening throughout our communities that will help pave the way to better days ahead. We will all get through this, together. 

Spending family time with my son, Nick.