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John --
Over the past couple of weeks, Americans have had to adapt to a new way of living. Even though social distancing has kept us apart, people have found new and innovative ways to stay connected.
We know the social, psychological, and economic impacts of the coronavirus have been tough -- so we wanted to spread some joy and share with you this roundup of feel-good news from around the state.
Here's how Alaskans have come together despite physically being apart in the past few weeks:
Seamstresses are creating face masks to donate:
Many Alaskans who know how to sew have come together through Facebook groups such as 'Fairbanks Mask Makers' and 'Alaska Mask Makers' to make face masks and give them away to those who need them most.
Photo from John Dougherty |
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First responders rescue child's birthday:
Two neighboring boys in Chugiak had their birthday plans shut down by social distancing measures, but the Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company did what they do best -- came to the rescue! The newly-turned teens were met with a seven-vehicle brigade of fire engines and paramedic trucks in their own neighborhood.
Photo from Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Facebook |
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5-year-old Alaskan goes viral with coronavirus message:
Fairbanks's own 5-year-old Nova Knight received viral recognition, including a thumbs-up from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Twitter, after her grandmother shared a video of her repeating tips of how to stay safe during the pandemic. We thank her and every Alaskan who is doing their part to keep the virus from spreading!
Photo from Rebecca Knight |
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Alaskan mine digs deep and donates to food bank:
Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company in Juneau saw an immediate need in their community when COVID-19 hit and sprang to action. The Hecla Charitable Foundation is devoting over $125,000 to help out where they can, and recently, they donated $20,000 to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank.
Photo from Hecla Charitable Foundation |
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White Pass tour guides produce masks for Skagway community:
Dr. Gross was extra excited to see that expedition tour companies who share the same passion for the outdoors as he does are giving to their communities in times of need. The Clem family, who own Klondike Tours in Skagway, produced and distributed over 250 masks free of charge to essential workers and members of the community.
Photo from The Skagway News |
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Auto shops across the state are switching gears to produce face shields:
In Anchorage, John Schwartz of Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security has made over 100 face shields for donation so far. And in Fairbanks, Auto Trim Design hatched an idea to assemble and donate hundreds of face shields to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for clinical staff requiring extra protection due to COVID-19. It's always amazing to see what Alaskans can put together in a pinch!
Photo from Ben Boswood |
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Even facing a global pandemic, Alaskans and Americans across the country are proving to be as resilient as ever.
It's never been more important that we remain connected and do our best to find joy in even the smallest of gestures.
Keep your head up John -- we will get through this together.
Stay healthy,
DrAlGrossAK.com
P.S. As always, you can go to the website of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services for up-to-date info about the coronavirus.
Dr. Al Gross is a commercial fisherman, surgeon, and a lifelong Alaskan. He's provided medical care to patients in the depths of the wilderness, prospected for gold, and faced off with multiple grizzly bears and is still here to tell the tale.
In these uncertain times, it's never mattered more to send a doctor to Washington who can take on the failed status quo and deliver a real prescription for change.
Chip in and help Dr. Al Gross defeat Dan Sullivan and win this battleground Senate seat:
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