During the coronavirus, medical workers and teachers have received the majority of the praise for their contributions. They deserve every bit of the recognition they have received, but there are some other people who deserve appreciation, too. Below are my thank-you’s to 9 types of workers who helped make this pandemic a little less scary.

Grocery store checkout workers, thank you for putting yourself in harms way to ensure that I can get food. You are willing to put yourself into constant contact with possibly infected people. Your job is so essential and you stepped up to it in such an amazing way.

Unemployment office workers, thank you for working so hard. An unprecedented amount of people suddenly rely on you and you are doing so much to help them. I don’t know where they would be without you.

Takeout delivery drivers, thank you for bringing me food. Your job wasn’t considered important in the past, but we now realize how much you do for us. You are willing to put yourself at risk to ensure that people are fed, and I appreciate that so much.

Nursing home workers, thank you for working with the people most at risk. You are working so hard to assist them while taking numerous safety measures to protect them.You are the main source of social interaction these people have after many nursing homes stopped allowing in visitors. Your important job has become all the more important. 

Amazon delivery drivers, thank you for bringing me what I need. Many people aren’t able to risk going to the store and you are the one who makes sure they receive their packages. Thank you for doing that.

Reporters, thank you for putting yourself at risk to go out into the field and report. Although you are taking safety measures, you are still at risk when you go out. Keeping the public informed is so important and your work is what makes that happen.

Scientists, thank you for working so hard to find ways to combat this disease. You are our main hope in beating this. I am so appreciative for all of the work you’ve put in.

Uber and bus drivers, thank you for continuing to work even though it’s dangerous. There are still people who need to get to work and they depend on you. Thank you for being there for them.

Janitors, thank you for keeping the places we go clean. Having a clean building is essential to stopping the spread of the disease and you are the main person who does that. Your role is so under-appreciated, and we need you now more than ever.