When the pandemic struck, many of us found ourselves sitting at home, either working remotely or not even being able to work at all. But not everyone was in lockdown—there were the essential workers who were out there, helping push away the tide of the coronavirus by working onsite.
Now, these people aren’t just medics, police, firefighters, grocery store employees, and pharmacists. As lockdown conditions were gradually lifted, people like restaurant workers, barbers, Uber drivers, and many others returned to work, risking getting infected, but also helping the world adapt and becoming essential workers in the process.
And even though, sad to say, the companies and institutions that these people represent were rarely actually thankful for the work they do, it’s the internet that showed just how much we should be appreciative of essential workers and how awesome they are despite the harsh circumstances.
Bored Panda has collected some of the best and most wholesome posts and stories about essential workers and why they’re awesome in appreciation of their hard work and dedication. We invite you to read through them below, and, while you're there, why not vote and comment on the ones you liked the most!
#1 When The Kindergartners Learn Sign Language So That They Could Wish Their Deaf Janitor A Happy Birthday

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333points
#2 When Your Barber Was The Reason Why Someone's Last Days Seemed Like The Best Ones

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328points
#3 When Your Uber Driver Takes You To The Hospital And Ends Up Keeping You Company Because Your Family Is Out Of State

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318points
#4 When The School Bus Driver Gets A Bunch Of Valentine's Candies And Cards For The Kids He Drives Daily

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303points
#5 When Your Amazon Courier Also Brings Back Your Trash Cans That Have Been Knocked Over And Pushed Away By Strong Winds

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299points
#6 When Post Couriers Take A Slight Detour On Their Route To Make A Girl's Birthday That Much Better

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297points
#7 When Road Workers Find Time To Explain To The Neighborhood Kids How Roads Work

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292points
#8 When You're On Your First Day Of School, Nervous As Heck, And The Bus Driver Holds Your Hand Throughout The Entire Trip So That You Would Feel Comforted

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288points
#9 When The Elementary School Bus Driver Asks Every Kid On The Bus What They Want For Christmas And Then Proceeds To Fulfill Everyone's Wish

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285points
#11 When You Come Out To Your Very Religious Family Who Decide You're Not Welcome To Family Holidays, And Then Your Professor Invites You Over

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270points
#12 When Your Cashiers Don't Know The Meaning Of Fear And Tackle A Big Spider Head-On

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250points
#13 When Actual Human Beings Work In The Service Industry And Make You Feel More At Home Than Real Home

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250points
#16 When Before Every Chemotherapy Session, A 9 Y.o. Stops At A Starbucks Where The Employees Give Him A Pep Talk

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236points
#17 When Your Local Bus Driver Decorates Every Halloween And Gives Out Candy

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234points
#18 When Your Neighbor Is A Paramedic And The Entire Neighborhood Gathers For A Round Of Applause For All The Hard Work They Do

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232points
#19 When Your Local McDonald's Sends Their Condolences Regarding Your Late Grandpa Who Used To Frequent Said McDonald's

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228points
#20 When The Nurses Work 36-Hour Shifts With Just One Protective Suit And Are Soaking Wet After They Take It Off

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222points





