Editor’s note: This column ran on the front page of the News-Press’ March 29th issue, one that was dedicated to thanking heroes throughout the community.
If you look around our community, you don’t see desperation.
You see innovation. You see dedication. You see perspiration.
This community has never been afraid of hard work, albeit rebuilding after devastating wildfires or subsequent deadly debris flow.
We cannot be kept down. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
There are restaurants in town that had never offered delivery that have managed to flip their business plan on their head, just to serve you.
There are firefighters that have bravely tended to sick residents, unsure if they are being exposed to COVID-19.
There are healthcare workers facing personal protective equipment shortages, yet working 14- to 16-hour days to calm our collective fears.
There are local nonprofits that have shifted from in-person to online learning, giving parents a much-deserved break and our kids’ education that they need.
There are scientists that are focused on making new protective gear, all the while their respective college campuses are ghost towns.
There are women in town that are quickly banding together to sew new masks that healthcare workers can use.
There are garbagemen and women that have been steadfast in staying on their routes, regardless of what they face.
There are mail persons that make sure that your Amazon packages arrive on time, not to mention your daily mail.
There are grocery stores that have not only had to adjust hours, but also monitor foot traffic through their stores to assure safety.
There are food banks such as the Unity Shoppe and Foodbank of Santa Barbara County that are managing to keep the jobless fed, despite massive shortages.
There are thousands of students that will experience their high school or college graduations via a computer screen, all due to public safety.
There are hundreds of teachers reinventing curriculum to help students finish out their years strong — and potentially preparing for what’s down the road.
There are heroes amongst us, and to them, we say thank you.
Today’s print issue is dedicated to you.
Keep up the great work.
email: nmasuda@newspress.com
