Staff at the Brooks Health Centre welcome a parade of vehicles passing by on Thursday. (CHAT News photo).

By Alex McCuaig

Love for Brooks

Brooks residents come together to thank pandemic responders

Jun 25, 2020 | 4:29 PM

BROOKS, AB – It was a day of celebration for Brooks and the surrounding area as dozens of residents paraded through the city’s streets to show their appreciation for health workers and first responders on Thursday.

Such celebratory parades have become the hallmark of the COVID-19 pandemic in southeastern Alberta, and Brooks resident Brian Curtis has been part of many in his community. He says they are an important part of the community’s response to the pandemic.

“Because we all love Brooks and we know it is one of the best little communities in the province and we want to stick together,” said Curtis, as he handed out parade route maps to participants. “As harshly as certain people are being treated these days, I think it’s important to tell them they are important to us.”

The messaging for continued vigilance and maintaining health protocols is paramount, said parade organizer Ahmed Kassem, as the risk of a second wave is still real. At the same time, there also needs to be hope.

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“We’d like to be optimistic rather than pessimistic. When one focuses on the positive, good things happen,” said Kassem. “And the only thing I can add is good things are ahead of us and keep hope alive. That is what Nelson Mandela used to say.”

The appreciation isn’t lost on Brooks Health Centre nurse Misty Orr.

“For me, it gives me goosebumps inside. Not only are healthcare workers, frontline workers, our families and friends have been affected with COVID as well .. just to get that thank you makes it more special.”

The peak of the outbreak in Brooks saw more than 1,000 active cases and has resulted in nine deaths.

The city held two asymptomatic clinics involving dozens of Alberta Health Services staff testing thousands of Brooks-area residents.