For those in the United States, wishing you a safe, healthy Thanksgiving. This year is unlike any other, and most of us are feeling upset, pain, sorrow, anger, and disappointment. I can certainly commiserate with that. But I also hope that we can identify a few things to be grateful for. 

I am thankful for the hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and persistence of the health care community that has stepped up during this pandemic. The team I work with in the intensive care unit is incredible. I could not ask for better nurses, respiratory therapists, consultants, and colleagues. Day and night we work shoulder-to-shoulder (figuratively - we distance when we can) taking care of the sickest patients, talking to their families, and performing high-risk procedures. Our infectious disease specialists have been a great boon, sifting through literature and helping us navigate this new illness. Our department and hospital leaders are aware of the mental, emotional, and physical toll this prolonged pandemic has taken, and are doing the best they can to alleviate the burnout. Our care of COVID patients also depends on an army of seldom-recognized co-workers, from those who source the PPE to those who dispose of it when we are done using it. We have so many people behind the scenes helping us in a myriad of ways so that we clinicians can focus on bedside patient care. Thank you.

In our larger communities, I am grateful for those tireless scientists who make my work possible, who give us hope, and who equip us with the knowledge and tools to tackle this disease. I appreciate those leaders in our communities and governments that have taken this threat seriously and done what they can to enact policies to protect public health. I am grateful for those in our community that have changed their lives and made sacrifices in order to social distance, avoid gatherings, and reduce transmission.

Most importantly, I appreciate my family, friends, and support network during this difficult and trying year. I think back to the beginning of 2020 and can't believe things have changed so much, but my friends and family have held steadfast through all these months. We will get through this together. Thank you.