Editorial: Let our thanks shine bright

EDITORIAL: It’s easy to feel powerless in the current circumstances — but even the smallest gestures can make a big difference and lift spirits.

Sydney McInnes, 7, of New Town, is ready to #Shine4thefrontline. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

IN the middle of the current health crisis, most Tasmanians have been stuck at home following the social distancing and isolation rules needed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Of course, for others, the COVID-19 outbreak has made their lives much busier — especially those frontline workers who have no choice but to go to work. These include the doctors, nurses and staff in our hospitals, emergency paramedics, pharmacy staff, SES workers, GPs, teachers, nursing home workers and many more.

TIME TO SHINE FOR OUR FRONTLINE STARS

Police and Australian Defence Force staff are tracking down contacts of known cases, and Border Force workers are directing travellers into isolation.

Then there are many other “invisible” workers who keep everything running— supermarket staff, cleaners, newsagents, taxi drivers, tradies, volunteers, council workers, farmers and many others.

They are essential workers who don’t have the option to self-isolate. They are the people who are constantly in contact with others — increasing their risk of infection.

For those who have been in contact with confirmed cases,  it must be an unsettling and, at times, terrifying experience.

The outbreak of cases on the North-West Coast which this week closed two hospitals, has been a setback in our fight against the spread of COVID-19.

So far, 94 of the 180 confirmed cases have been linked to the hospitals, forcing about 1200 staff and their families into 14 days of isolation.

This has also been a blow for staff morale. One can only imagine how it must feel to leave your patients in such uncertain times.

Amid the forced lockdown, rumours of an illegal party among some hospital staff aired by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy attracted online attacks from keyboard warriors, making staff feel even worse.

It’s easy to feel powerless in the current circumstances — but even the smallest gestures can make a big difference and lift spirits.

Today the Mercury launches a campaign to do just that. We are encouraging Tasmanians to display their support for all our frontline workers, to let them know we are proud and grateful for their work. We want readers to embrace our #Shine4thefrontline campaign by shining a light from their homes, starting at 8pm on Saturday night and continuing on into the future. All it needs is a simple display from front doors, verandas, letter boxes or windows.

Premier Peter Gutwein has joined our call: “I encourage every Tasmanian to ‘Shine for the Frontline’ — a strong symbol in these dark times, that we stand with you,” he said. “A strong reflection that there is light at the end of this tunnel and there are brighter days ahead.”

What that might mean is up to you. Break out Christmas lights, light a candle in a decorated jar, wave torches, or shoot a spotlight into the air.

It doesn’t have to be a particular colour or style … just something that says thank you. Thank you for turning up, thank you for working hard, thank you for giving us hope in such a dark time.