I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving. Thinking about gratitude is one of the themes of this holiday (the other is eating)! Peter Currier did a great article for Thanksgiving to which I expressed my thanks for family, friends and the good things in this world. I also gave a much deserved shout out to Robin and Kerry Plourde of Whip City Animal Sanctuary, along with all the volunteers and animals.
My thought for this week’s column was to thank our city health department as well as all other city employees. Mayor Mike McCabe said it well in Peter’s article when he called them “truly unsung heroes”.
The Department of Health, led by Joseph Rouse, director and Debra Mulvenna, assistant director, has established a strong team working hard to address all the jobs that took a back seat during COVID-19. They have also filled some of the holes in the staff. As they read this, if they do, I’m sure they’re all cursing me for setting them up. This modest team prefers their work to be done efficiently and behind the scenes. The attention drawn to the department due to the politics of COVID-19 was difficult for all of us. Many public health professionals across the country surrendered in droves during the ugliness in the midst of the pandemic. I am grateful to our persistent.
