By Laura French
March 11, 2021 marks the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. First responders and healthcare workers across the country and world have been working for 365 days, and in many cases longer, to care for their patients and communities while facing their own safety concerns, emotional struggles and personal losses.
Here are some examples of how public safety, healthcare and government organizations are commemorating one year of the pandemic, and honoring both those who lost their lives and those who are continuing to save lives on the front lines of the crisis.
https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1370001384351948804?s=20
For many EMS agencies and healthcare facilities, the COVID-19 crisis began before it was officially declared a pandemic. Several organizations have stopped to remember their first COVID-19 patient encounter, transport or admission, or the first case in their state.
https://twitter.com/BOSTON_EMS/status/1369716868114747396?s=20 https://twitter.com/HillsboroFire/status/1366063111090757634?s=20 https://www.facebook.com/lenoxhillhospital/posts/10158970399928490?__cft__[0]=AZVsBlQJgKPcQ7DABENMKRJa-LBJYWl0NG5q-9Ei2tbZPBxEqBjTR5HfZMJ3cjo9xcU-2hJZj7pZNNucSyqnfa8nGYOcmzUyl65uTpWN2agynje0UZwkODF1aetwg5pR_PIVOrIBlfg3mgYT6TRpnZQA&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R https://www.facebook.com/LARKSPURFIREDISTRICT/posts/223273412918113?__cft__[0]=AZXyUpxy1svezzLNBzKXsc5NMN6yXuIUHA1akQNsO4AMhC7z9CeWhwcH5qwBb-VcGRZ2I2iy9Xy5SAPv4n2EorTeOkb5ulqt-lOm4k_EqhJCwZzR1UQ6KDEZHLPmLtTtayBr527_kpXqr1HrZTCbYEpXjf82I84MtQjw2zrGq0RDWw&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R https://www.facebook.com/MontefioreNyack/posts/3968041986549753?__cft__[0]=AZVQdZDGrYNLna5Uq5U4aUGobrp_O7gli3_eW--CwjCDbZ7R80ZYiYZd_ou_AYplwZ8KQDpWkGjyOe2PY51ilJ4IxqyqgLw6BawucbjlGN1Qh3SKVJP6Kkh7NpAnE7QcKSK-Oh6HKFIOGxuqiUku6cD6&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
More than 526,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the United States, with more than 2.6 million total lives lost worldwide from the virus. Communities hosted memorials and days of remembrance in honor of pandemic victims.
https://twitter.com/boulder_fire/status/1368023972919398403?s=20 https://twitter.com/marksoochang/status/1368007767215247362?s=20 https://www.facebook.com/gohsep/posts/10158308757743440?__cft__[0]=AZWYMp6KFb_s6NePxYmqaV0LB0HCO7ObDC5Hx5qI9BZOvzjLanP_RbACb_mNbk8IgDoqD-doPfq-v2DHJyM03LE6vRKhWzQqf2mPwINfoWb52YutnCLY_XWnCXNTgqdLgnHFMIYIGx89edTn1xB-M7fF&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R https://www.facebook.com/MIgovernment/posts/3801130916667208?__cft__[0]=AZVO67u3drz8Ue5tWkUAuFf5kdqawAULUEmSuljNPLJkQ7Pvbdko_-EldnIAc0HlgTYHslAaieOE1oSwaWmhA14uM3P0qA295v1trWaWLeYyIWzSZtvYKIODe7gxCbivTJ5ug2I6L8TUFKSxfBWAusPWC0euYci5Pp4FcO0KE15C8Q&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R https://www.facebook.com/nycmayorsoffice/posts/3921786157881670
For the past year, the work of first responders, healthcare professionals and other frontline personnel have been central to national and worldwide efforts to protect, heal and support those affected by the virus. To mark the first anniversary of the pandemic, officials showed their gratitude and paid tribute to essential personnel who have continued to serve. First responders also reflected on their challenges and achievements throughout the crisis.
https://twitter.com/GovMurphy/status/1369358974668136454?s=20 https://twitter.com/NOEHospital/status/1369351519406014469?s=20 https://twitter.com/OchsnerHealth/status/1369694085372649473 https://twitter.com/NewOrleansEMS/status/1369318472031821835?s=20 https://twitter.com/HeatherCatallo/status/1369671889409503232?s=20
do what we do best - care for our patients and our communities. While our COVID-19 response continues, we want to take a moment on this one-year anniversary to thank our providers for all they have done, and continue to do, for our community and each other.#covid_19 #Colorado
— Denver Health Paramedics (@DHParamedics) March 7, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/SaintMarysHospitalCT/posts/4146521568711862 https://www.facebook.com/cityoftulsa/posts/10158331509098983?__cft__[0]=AZUOzcRbxHCvrUNaladZhd2LRf6_3AHcVofgLJivUTtZkkDMsZ1HMTxsthhVdzF_xC0-w9JE3P7O32263U8AnZwU-7AaH7Nz-HP062u3eyT-PNrto5l1kJS6XSnvlp-baCUgYWiQlZ6XqfKL1eINFXmYol3SHDkKA1LDMDxOzwDlcg&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
Has your agency commemorated the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic? Let us know how in the comments below.