HELENA — After weeks of high numbers of COVID hospitalizations, members of the Helena community came together to show their appreciation for the nurses, doctors, and other workers at Saint Peter's Health in Helena.
The number of people currently hospitalized in Montana due to COVID is 510, the highest number of hospitalizations since the pandemic began. The previous single-day high was 506 on November 20, 2020.
“We so appreciate you, we know that our community is able to do what we're all doing thanks to your hard work and we really want to encourage you to keep it up. We know that it has been a long hard slog and we know that there are so many things that are discouraging right now, and we want you to know that you are loved and appreciated,” said Margaret Gillikin at the rally.
The Helena Thanks Healthcare Workers Facebook page was created to show support for the healthcare workers in Helena who have been strained due to COVID cases surging in the area.
“I thought well rather than stay angry about it, go do something positive and really what the issue is that there is a lack of appreciation among some people of what nurses are doing now doctors are doing to save lives, they're working long hours,” said David Hemion, head organizer of Helena Thanks Healthcare Workers.
Hemion says it is crucial to have the staff of the hospital know that community members support their work.
“It’s sad that we're here, but it's good that you know there are people coming out to say thank you and we appreciate what the medical staff and the support staff is doing to try to keep everybody healthy,” said Hemion.
