A great time to celebrate our workers

This certainly doesn’t feel like a normal Labor Day, just as so much of this summer has been knocked offkilter by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

It would be wrong to say the summer has been devoid of fun. People still managed to do some traveling, albeit close to home. Many made their usual pilgrimages to the shore or the mountains. But just about the entire calendar of traditional festivities was wiped out.

The same goes for Labor Day. People will find ways to observe the holiday, but ceremonies and festivities will be few and far between, to the extent any take place at all.

Yet if there were ever a moment that called for taking time to honor America’s workers, it’s right now.

During the worst of the pandemic back in the spring, there was lots of talk about the heroism of the people who put themselves in harm’s way while the rest of us stayed home in an effort to halt the advance of the novel coronavirus.

That’s quieted down lately, but the reality remains the same. Labor Day represents an opportunity for all of us to once again thank the people who’ve kept working on the front lines throughout the pandemic and will continue doing so in the months to come.

We’re talking about doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians and everyone else who works in the health care field. They’ve soldiered on despite shortages of equipment, spikes in cases and tremendous uncertainty, and as the institutions they serve endure tremendous financial pressure also brought on by the pandemic.

Our first responders have continued their work as well, as have farmers, food processors and distributors, manufacturing workers, truckers and all the other people who have made sure Americans have the food and supplies they need.

And of course there are the people who have kept our supermarkets and other essential retailers operating, putting themselves at personal risk. Not only have they faced far greater exposure to the virus than the rest of us, but they’ve had to deal with sometimes unruly members of the public who object to the pandemic rules and regulations.

All these people and many others have shown bravery and grace during a difficult time.

There’s another group of workers who deserve recognition on this special Labor Day. We’re talking about the men and women who have been staying home most of the time.

One mustn’t underestimate the importance of following the recommendations regarding sheltering in place. Though the rules on staying at home have loosened this summer, it’s still advisable to avoid going out unless necessary. The more people are together, the greater the risk of virus spread.

Following these guidelines hasn’t been easy. Many people have had to learn new ways of working without being in the same room as their colleagues. Americans have been going through a wholesale change in workplace culture imposed on them without any time to prepare. They’ve endured more than a few technological hiccups in the process, and the mental toll of isolation. Despite all these challenges, businesses, schools and other organizations have kept going.

And then there are those who have learned how to work from home while having children at home due to school buildings being closed and reduced availability of child care. They’ve done a magnificent job of balancing their parental and work responsibilities under tremendous pressure.

Everyone we’ve just mentioned has been at this for months, and at this point what they’ve been doing may seem routine. It most certainly is not. What’s happening in workplaces and homes across our area, the state, country and even the world would have been unimaginable just six months ago. Don’t forget that.

We’re in incredibly challenging times, yet people are learning to adapt and endure. We have no other choice. But on the day when America pays tribute to its workers, it’s appropriate to step back and show appreciation.