El Paso County, Colo.-- Residents across El Paso County are encouraged to share the story of their COVID-19 hero on social media using the hashtag #MyCOVIDHero to help recognize the kind acts of others during the pandemic. The call came today as El Paso County, El Paso County Public Health and the City of Colorado Springs came together for a moment of reflection and to recognize heroes in the community as part of the one-year anniversary of when Colorado first started experiencing loss of life due to COVID-19.
There are countless everyday heroes who have acted as helpers in the community during the pandemic. Everyday heroes may range from someone who did grocery shopping for a neighbor to reduce their risk of getting COVID-19, to the school teacher who took the extra time to help a struggling student, or an unexpected act of kindness from a stranger. The community is invited to share these stories and photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #MyCOVIDHero.
Friday’s event served to remember the lives lost in the last year and offer sympathy for the thousands of friends and family members impacted in our own community. It also recognized first responders, frontline health care and public health workers and teachers.
“The organizations recognized today are truly inspirational examples of courage and dedication, but the event in no way capture all the people and organizations that have produced heroes during COVID-19. We look forward to celebrating all of the courageous acts, large and small, from across our community as people share the stories of their COVID hero,” said Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers.
“While the pandemic has and continues to test us in ways we could not have imagined, hearing the many stories of the individuals and partners today reminds us that we are a strong and resilient community. There is hope on the horizon, and for a return to a sense of normalcy. While we can’t yet let our guard down, the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and its increasing supply and pace are milestones to celebrate. I am grateful to our community for all the ways they have stepped up during this challenging time,” said El Paso County Public Health Director Susan Wheelan.
“This event celebrates the compassion, kindness and resiliency of our community by highlighting the many actions of our responders, health care workers, and citizens that have made a difference in people’s lives during COVID. We must continue to do our part to keep each other safe and the vaccine is one of our strongest tools to do so. Anyone can be a COVID hero by getting themselves and their family vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. I just turned 60 and received my vaccine yesterday,” said El Paso County Board Chair Stan VanderWerf.