Thank you for making 2020 better

It’s been a year.

As is borne out in our top 10 stories of the year that will run next week, the coronavirus pandemic has dominated 2020 both worldwide and locally. Here in The Commercial Review’s coverage area, we have also seen violent crime, protests and political division.

But as we look toward 2021 with hopeful eyes, we can also look back at the year that was and recognize that there was plenty to be encouraged about even through all of the difficulties.

There were:

•Our doctors, nurses, first responders and others in the health care field who have stood on the front lines during the pandemic.

•Our teachers, who adjusted on the fly to extended e-learning last spring and have continued this fall to teach both in-person and virtually as students come in and out of their classrooms because of quarantine.

•The Class of 2020, which had spring sports, prom and traditional graduation ripped away because of the pandemic. They were, in a word, resilient, and made the best of an unfortunate situation.

•Volunteers who stepped forward to help out in so many ways, including to sew masks that were then provided free to the community at Jay County Health Department.

•The health department staff. They generally work in anonymity. That changes in a pandemic. They have been thrust to the forefront and have done their best to provide residents with information and advice about how to go about their lives safely.

•Essential workers, who stayed on the job when others were sent home during the coronavirus shutdown. No matter what role they played, it was an important one. Times like these should make us realize how many of those around us are crucial to keeping up our daily lifestyle.

•Everyone who was kind, courteous and selfless enough to take the basic steps — washing hands, avoiding large crowds, social distancing, wearing a mask — necessary to help protect themselves and others.

Thank you for all that you have done to make 2020 better despite all of its challenges. We hope that your burdens will be lighter in 2021. — R.C.