This document recognizes the heroes responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in three groups. First, it honors healthcare workers who risk exposure to test and care for patients, often working overtime due to the crisis. Second, it acknowledges government leaders like President Trump and County Judge Linda Hildago who took decisive early action. Third, it celebrates community members who donated supplies and shared uplifting social media posts to boost morale during the difficult time. In conclusion, the document calls for toasting these groups for leading the response that will help society overcome the pandemic.

1. A Toast to Our Heroes in this Unprecedented Pandemic in the 21st
Century
Good evening Professor Duval, Sandy, Yu, Alex, Courage and the rest of my fellow students.
How was your spring break or should I say extended spring break? Did you’ll travel anywhere?
Most of us didn’t…Well we were blessed this beautiful spring weather.
This Covid-19 pandemic is reeking havoc with our everyday norms, right? I want to iterate that
it could be a lot worse without the heroes in our hospitals, in our government, and in our
communities.
I. The healthcare workers and administrators deserve a toast for the obvious
reasons.
A. They test for the corona virus and care for the patients who test positive; all
while risking exposure to the virus as well as working overtime.
1. I read of a story about nurses in Italy collapsing from exhaustion at
the hospitals over there.
a. They are a modern day “Profile in Courage.”
B. Secondly, the healthcare administrators are sounding the alarm to
government officials about flattening the curve so that our healthcare system
will not get overrun with patients.
1. They want to be able to care for each and every patient fully to give
them a fighting chance to overcome this virus.
II. In our government,
A. Trump
1. whether you love Him or hate Him, President Trump was decisive in
his ban of Chinese travel to the U.S at the beginning of this outbreak.
Then subsequently Europe and elsewhere.
2. Also, we should celebrate him today for spearheading the call for an
economic stimulus package in Congress for us, The People.

2. B. Locally, County Judge Linda Hildago made the, “Stay Home, Work Safe,”
order for Harris County when it was unpopular in the community.
III. Lastly, the community stepped up in a big way.
A. Small businesses checked there inventories for personal protection
equipment, PPE’s, to distribute to the hospitals with a shortage on those
items.
B. Also, social media posts. There where hundreds of posts that were helpful in
this crisis. They posted on things like:
1. How to spend your time
2. How to exercise at home
3. How to cook with what you have
4. And finally, the goofy to inspiring to ridiculous videos like
videos of the mad dash for toilet paper…it was amusing and lifted
my spirits…serious business. Or the videos of communities in Italy
singing from their balconies beautiful Italian songs.
These groups and individuals in our community let the rest of us know that as a
community, we will get through this.
IV. So, at this time, I would like you to raise your glasses; let us drink to the
Healthcare workers, government officials, and the community; All our heroes
that will get us through this Pandemic! Cheers!!!