Frontline workers are the people who take care of us - attending to our emergency medical and safety needs.  Day in - day out, no matter what the situation or concern, they're there for us at our critical times of need.

And this has been no more apparent than over the last year and a half during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as governments, businesses, and seemingly the entire world shut down, these frontline workers continued to show up for work and transitioned through constantly-changing protocols and guidelines to maintain that critical needs and services were still being met.

Frontline Healthcare Workers At St Vincent's Hospital Adapt To Life Between The Red and Green Zones As Pandemic Approaches Third Year
Getty Images
loading...

That's why the Public Health staff from eleven county and tribal public health departments have once again partnered on Project Blue Light - a way to honor frontline workers who have been working to keep communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The week-long initiative will happen January 24 through January 31.

To take part, individuals and businesses are asked to light up the exterior of their home or business "blue" with a blue lightbulb or string lights as a show of support or thanks.  Those efforts will be matched by municipalities as they illuminate landmarks, businesses, and front porches across the Arrowhead region for Project Blue Light.

Employers and schools are also asked to encourage to designate a day of that week for everyone to wear blue.  Additionally, businesses are encouraged to display signs or banners and residents are asked to hang a poster in a window to honor all of our frontline workers.

Frontline Healthcare Workers At St Vincent's Hospital Adapt To Life Between The Red and Green Zones As Pandemic Approaches Third Year
Getty Images
loading...

There will also be a social media component.  Everyone is urged to share a photo of how they are participating with the hashtag #thankyouwithblue on their social media.

This week in 2022 will mark the second year for this effort, which began last year as a way to thank those whose jobs required them to continue working in public settings while many others were able to shift or transition to the safety of working from home.

Project Blue Light - and the hashtag #thankyouwithblue - is a coordinated effort by public health staff from Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis County along with Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, and Mile Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Frontline Healthcare Workers At St Vincent's Hospital Adapt To Life Between The Red and Green Zones As Pandemic Approaches Third Year
Getty Images
loading...

10 Unique Activities To Take Up This Winter In The Northland

Things Every Northlander Needs During Winter

11 Things To Have In Your Car For Northland Winters

READ MORE: See how some companies are changing their businesses to combat COVID-19

More From B105