Front-line workers recognized with Project Blue Light

Published

Frontline workers ranging from nurses and doctors to grocery store and gas station workers will be honored Jan. 24-31 with Project Blue Light.

Businesses, governments and individuals are asked to illuminate the exterior of landmarks, houses, and businesses in blue across the Arrowhead Region as a show of support for frontline workers.

Homeowners can also show support by placing a blue light bulb in their porch light.

The project is the result of an idea that started with staff of the Arrowhead Region Public and Tribal Health Group to honor those frontline personnel who have been working relentlessly to keep their communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frontline workers can be found in a wide range of positions including doctors, nurses, home care, long-term care, public health, assisted living and other medical professionals, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, emergency dispatchers/Jailers, United States Customs and Border Protection Officers, U.S. Border Patrol agents.

It also includes workers in the “invisible infrastructure” who may not get the attention as others. Some of these are, grocery store employees, fast food workers, restaurant workers, food and supply distribution center workers, U.S. Postal Service employees and other carriers; School district administration and staff, sanitation, custodial, janitorial, and cleaning service workers; railroad workers, and other professions critical to the life, health and safety of our county residents.

The project urges people to show their support by sharing a photo of their blue light tribute on social media with the hashtag #thankyouwithblue.

The Arrowhead Region Public and Tribal Health Group is made up of 11 counties and tribal public health agencies, and was formed in November in an effort to get consistent information about COVID-19 out to residents in the region. Public health staff from Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis counties, along with public health agencies from Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage and Mille Lacs bands of Ojibwe tribal governments, make up the collaboration.