On 30th January 2020, WHO declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern and a pandemic, two months later, on 11th March 2020. The pandemic brought the world to a standstill with economies crashing, people losing their jobs, and countries going into lockdown.
The ever vibrant, bustling streets of cities were eerily quiet as people stayed indoors to protect themselves and others from the virus. Streets became deserted, malls closed their doors, and schools and universities switched to online learning.
But during all this darkness, there were also rays of hope and light. People united to help each other in a time of need. From healthcare workers and medical staff risking their lives to save others to selfless neighbors and volunteers helping each other with shelter, meals, and medical supplies, everyone played a part in getting us through these challenging times. These courageous men and women are the true unsung heroes of our time, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
So today, we want to say a big thank you to all the coronavirus helpers out there. Thank you for your selflessness, courage, compassion, and determination. Thank you for going above and beyond to help those in need. Thank you for being the light in the darkness. We are forever grateful for proving humanity will always triumph in the end.
To honor all the amazing, brave, and selfless coronavirus helpers out there, we’ve put together a list of just some of the ways different people went above and beyond to help others during the global pandemic.
Spreading Love, Joy, and Hope Amidst a Pandemic
With the coronavirus pandemic in place, the uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on everyone’s minds. To Spread love, joy, and hope during these tough times, people came up with creative ways to bring smiles to others.
From balcony concerts and drive-by birthday celebrations to heartwarming notes of encouragement left on people’s cars, people went out of their busy lives to ensure others knew they were not alone. Here is how the kindness of frontline workers and strangers brought joy to people during the pandemic:
Frontline Healthcare Workers
For the last two years, the lives of frontline healthcare workers have been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. They have risked their own lives to save those of others and have been working tirelessly to ensure everyone gets the care they need.
From the initial outbreak of the virus to the second and third waves, healthcare workers, hospital workers, and first responders have been on the frontlines day and night, fighting tirelessly to save other patients lives. They have worked long hours with little rest, away from family, and have made impossible decisions that no one should ever have to make.
But through it all, they have pressed on and shown the world what it means to be a true hero. They were the ray of hope during the darkest of times, and we will be forever grateful for their bravery, dedication, and compassion.
Essential Workers
Countries worldwide went into lockdown to contain the spread, bringing the economy to a standstill. No movement meant no production, which meant people were losing their jobs, and businesses were shutting down.
But some people could not afford to stay home as they had to continue working to ensure the rest of us had food on our tables, gas in our cars, and medicine in our homes. Schools and teachers moved their classes online to ensure students could continue learning, while supermarkets, pharmacies, and transportation workers ensured we had access to essential goods and services.
These essential workers risked their lives every day to ensure we had the necessities we needed to survive. From grocery store clerks and delivery drivers to farmers and truckers, they kept the world running while the rest of us stayed home.
Other essential workers included janitors and sanitation workers who ensured our homes and workplaces were clean and safe. Without the essential workers, the world would have come to a grinding halt. So, today we want to say a big thank you to all the essential workers out there who kept the world going during these tough times.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
When the pandemic first hit, there was a lot of uncertainty and fear across the country. People were hoarding supplies, panic buying essentials like hand sanitizers, and stockpiling food. But amidst all the chaos, there were also acts of kindness and compassion.
Neighbors were helping friends and neighbors, strangers were helping strangers, and people came together to help those in need. From delivering groceries to the elderly and vulnerable to checking in on neighbors, people went out of their way to help others.
There were also community initiatives set up to help those in need. Amidst the darkness, uncertainty, and fear, these acts of kindness shone like a beacon of hope.
Balconies Turned Great Concert Stages and Entertainment Spots
With lockdowns in place, mass gatherings prohibited, and entertainment hubs closed, people were forced to find new ways to stay entertained. And what better way to do that than with music?
People took to their balconies and turned them into impromptu concert stages and entertainment spots. From playing instruments and singing songs to hosting dance parties and movie nights, people found creative ways to have fun while staying safe. This was an excellent way for people to connect with their neighbors and create a sense of community.
World-renowned musicians and DJs like The Chainsmokers and Martin Garrix kept the good vibes flowing by playing live sets from their balconies and hotel rooftops. Soon enough, social media was filled with videos of people from all over the world dancing and singing along to their favorite jams from their balconies.
The Hilarious Memers and Social Media Stars
Even with the seriousness and gravity of the pandemic, people still found ways to have a good laugh. Memers and social media stars quickly jumped on the coronavirus bandwagon and started churning out hilarious content.
From funny videos and memes to skits and songs, they used their creativity and wit to bring some much-needed laughter into our lives.
Even as remote working and Zoom meetings became the new norm, these social media stars created and shared brilliant memes and videos that perfectly captured the new reality we were all living in. Despite the darkness and despair, they were the light that kept us going.
Organizations, Private Companies, and Individuals Stepped Up to Help
With the huge surge in virus cases and the strain on the healthcare system, many organizations, private companies, and individuals stepped up to help. From setting up temporary hospitals and ICUs to manufacturing PPE and essential medical supplies, they went above and beyond to aid those in need.
Some companies even repurposed their products and manufacturing lines to produce sanitizers, face masks, and other essential items. Others donated money, food, and treatment supplies to frontline workers and their communities to support patient care.
A company like Grammarly joined the growing list of companies minding the well-being of their employees by offering them extra off days and mental health days in the stressful situation. It was truly heartening to see people and organizations all over the globe coming together to help fight the ravaging effects of the pandemic.
Google Doodles Never Disappointed
Even though 2020 was a tough year, Google Doodles never failed to bring a smile to our faces. When the frontline workers were fighting hard to contain the virus, Google Doodle paid tribute to them by highlighting the positive impacts of Covid-19.
From celebrating healthcare workers and first responders to honoring essential workers, the Doodle team did a fantastic job highlighting the selfless acts of people from all walks of life. On 25th April, 202o, the tech giant released a Covid-19 Doodle series titled “To all coronavirus helpers, thank you,” which highlighted the selfless acts of doctors, nurses, grocery stores, and many others.
These Doodles and popular articles celebrated their immense contribution towards containing the pandemic and brought some much-needed positivity to more people during these challenging times. Since then, Google Doodle has released several other Doodles celebrating the success of vaccination drives and the hope for a better tomorrow. Google has also provided prime articles and trending topics to help people stay informed about the pandemic.
From Deep Down Our Hearts, Thank You
The last two years have been a turbulent ride. Starting with lockdowns, working from home, Zoom meetings becoming the new norm, and ending with vaccination drives, 2020 was a year like no other.
But even in the darkest of times, there have been some bright moments that remind us of the goodness of humanity. People’s selflessness, kindness, and compassion have shone through in the most trying of times, reevaluating how we as a society function.
As we look back at 2020, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the helpers who have gone above and beyond to help those in need. From doctors and nurses to grocery store workers and delivery drivers, you are the unsung heroes of this pandemic.
You have risked your own lives to save others, and we cannot thank you enough for your selfless acts of kindness. Your support and efforts have been instrumental in getting us through these tough times. And so, we can rest assured that, even though the future is uncertain, we will get through this together. Thank you, coronavirus helpers, from the bottom of our hearts.
