Showing Gratitude to Our Public Health Workers

May 27, 2021 | Michael Fraser

As we head into the Memorial Day weekend and honor the members of our armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and its freedoms, it is also important for us to give thanks to public health workers for being a shining example of what it means to lead in the face of a crisis.

The pandemic today looks much different than it did a year ago – the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections have been significantly reduced; about 50% of Americans have had at least one shot, with almost 40% fully vaccinated. This is all thanks, in large part, to the tremendous sacrifice of public health workers and a willingness to risk their own safety to help those in need.

And while we are trending the in the right direction, now more than ever before, it is imperative that we remain steadfast in carrying out our national vaccination campaign.

I have worked in public health for over 20 years; but in the last 14 months I have learned a great deal more about public health and what it means to serve on the front lines of a pandemic than I have in 14 years prior. Your commitment, sense of purpose, and answering the call to serve a cause greater than any single one of us is remarkable. I have been fortunate to see this commitment firsthand in my daily work at ASTHO.

Thank you for your extraordinary commitment to keeping our nation healthy despite the obstacles, barriers, and threats.

I wish you and your families a healthy and relaxing Memorial Day weekend.