EDITORIAL – A big thank-you to those who keep us safe on Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2020 in Editorials, Page One, Rothenburger // 2 Comments

Sign on Doing It Right Appliances truck salutes essential workers. (Image: Mel Rothenburger)

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS DAY, the culmination of what we call the holiday season. This year, due to COVID-19, the season has been like no other.

We’ve been asked to stay home and stay away from many of the family and friends we usually celebrate with. It’s a tall order, and we might tend to feel sorry for ourselves.

But we don’t have it so bad. Think about all those people who will spend Christmas Day and Boxing Day on the job, keeping us safe.

First and foremost, of course, we need to think about all those healthcare workers who have been giving it their all each and every day of the week, especially since the pandemic hit. If we have a medical emergency on Christmas and have to go to the hospital, there will be doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff waiting for us.

And if we need the police, they’ll be there when we call. They’ll be patrolling the streets, keeping a lid on crime, attending motor vehicle accidents and all the myriad of things they do every day.

If there’s a power outage, Hydro crews will get in their trucks and drive to a downed transmission line and repair it so we can enjoy the electricity we take for granted. If there’s a broken water line, City staff will be there to patch it up. If there’s a big snowfall, the plows will be on the job.

For them and so many others — firefighters, 911 operators, care home workers, ambulance drivers — spending tomorrow away from family is part of the job.

Because as special as Christmas is, life must go on, and these are the folks who make certain the rest of us can spend the day, and every day, safely and in comfort. To them, on behalf of the rest of us, thank you, and a Merry Christmas.

And from this armchair to yours, have a wonderful holiday. Stay safe.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.