St. Louis County COVID Thank You Lunch

PIKE LAKE, Minn. — Memories of COVID and the pandemic have started to fade a bit for many people. But for those in health care who lived it, it will always be part of them.

On Tuesday it was a chance to thank St. Louis County Public Health employees, and the many, many volunteers who were part of Minnesota Responds.

Those gathering Tuesday for food, laughs and relaxation, were some of the faces behind the masks you saw at vaccination clinics and testing sites. Many people who were on the front lines were public health employees. But there were also 86 volunteers who contributed over 9,000 hours of their time.

“A lot of volunteers put a lot of trust into us. That we’re following the science, that we’re protecting as volunteers, that we’re protecting them as staff who are working. Putting themselves out in the community to help our community. And the response that we got was overwhelmingly positive, for people who wanted to give their time to help their community members get through this pandemic,” said Amy Westbrook, Division Director, Public Health, St. Louis County.

For some of those who volunteered, it meant coming back to do what they love. There was a need and stepping back in as a volunteer seemed like the thing to do for retired public health nurse Becky Bone.

“Well, because I worked in public health, and I know how important public health is, and this is my time to pay back,” said Bone. “It’s just giving to your community, giving back to your community. It was a wonderful experience.”

Tuesday’s thank you took place in the same public works building that had served as a vaccination clinic. And if the gesture of thanks seems a little delayed, it’s because the county had to reschedule it twice. Why? ironically, because of a surge in cases.