Cities light up buildings to honor workers on the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic
Americans are thanking workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak in many ways, and the latest added a little brightness to this dark time.
Cities across the United States lit up their landmarks with blue lights on Thursday as a part of the #LightItBlue campaign. More than 150 U.S. locations participated in the tribute which originated in the United Kingdom.
“We’ve been so inspired over the past few weeks by the cheers of our neighbors around the world – and we wanted to bring this collective gratitude to an even bigger stage here in the U.S.,” Joe Zenas, lead organizer of the #LightItBlue movement, said in a statement provided to Yahoo Lifestyle.
On Thursday, New York’s Governor, Andrew Cuomo, encouraged his state to participate. “I am directing that key buildings and structures throughout the state join the #LightItBlue campaign and be illuminated with the color blue on Thursday night as a way of thanking and standing in solidarity with the brave men and women who are truly doing God’s work,” he said in a press release sent to Yahoo Lifestyle, along with a tweet.
“We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for all they do,” he added.
Landmarks across the state are lit blue tonight in support of all the healthcare workers and all the essential personnel on the frontlines in our battle against #COVID19.
We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for all they do.
They are heroes. #LightItBlue #NewYorkTough pic.twitter.com/UIzu1fz9kl— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) April 10, 2020
Louisiana State University’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana tweeted thanks.
We #LightItBlue for the men and women who are working around the clock. From health care heroes to front line workers. Thank you!#StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/Dtnq0pdjeG
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) April 10, 2020
The Dallas Sports Commission in Texas “shined blue in honor of our frontline and essential workers.”
Last night Dallas shined blue in honor of our frontline and essential workers. We can not thank you enough for continuing your efforts to keep us all safe during this unprecedented time. #LightItBlue #MakeItBlue pic.twitter.com/PjXaF0GFO8
— Dallas Sports Commission (@dallas_sports) April 10, 2020
Baseball team the Houston Astros tweeted that their home stadium Minute Maid Park joined in.
Tonight Minute Maid Park joined the nationwide #LightItBlue campaign to show support for healthcare professionals and individuals on the front lines of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/scFcZWkIKx
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 10, 2020
And the Chicago Bears tweeted that Soldier Field would “show support” for those “putting their lives on the line every day to fight against this pandemic.”
Tonight with others around the country we #LightItBlue to show our support for healthcare, front line, and essential workers putting their lives on the line every day to fight against this pandemic.
From our team to yours, thank you.
🐻?? pic.twitter.com/KeaMepn0jI— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 10, 2020
NFL team the Cleveland Browns in Ohio said they were “honored” to participate.
We're honored to #lightitblue at @FEStadium to shine a light on essential workers and healthcare professionals on the front lines 🙏🧡 pic.twitter.com/R2eldDeJDj
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 10, 2020
And theme park Six Flags Over Georgia tweeted a photo of a lit up roller coaster.
Thank you! #LightItBlue pic.twitter.com/jcuDQLTsMq
— Six Flags Over GA (@sfovergeorgia) April 10, 2020
Someone shared a beautiful photo of the blue skyline in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City Checking and looking good in for #LightItBlue to support #FirstResponders pic.twitter.com/ckdSnrHRCl
— Jonathan Tasler (@TaslerPhoto) April 10, 2020
The Indiana nonprofit Downtown Indy, Inc. tweeted, “Monument Circle shines for YOU.”
Tonight, #DowntownIndy is proud to honor the heroes working on the front lines.
We are grateful for our healthcare workers and first responders.
Monument Circle shines for YOU. 💙 #LightItBlue #INthisTogether pic.twitter.com/7UwWx2UQQi— Downtown Indy, Inc. (@IndyDT) April 10, 2020
Little Rock's River Market, a shopping-and-restaurant area, showed their city’s blue bridge, writing, “Thank you ALL!”
Tonight our bridges are BLUE! It's to honor ALL our Healthcare workers are doing for us. Thank you ALL! #LightItBlue
Photo credit: @jonasmarksphotography pic.twitter.com/EWJuNlEX6S— River Market (@RiverMarket) April 9, 2020
And the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California committed “to shine a light on those who are working tirelessly every day.”
To our frontline & essential workers, thank you for your continued efforts during this unprecedented time. Tonight at 8pm will be joining @LightItBlue & landmarks across the US to shine a light on those who are working tirelessly every day. #LightItBlue #MakeItBlue #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/TlZFlQ95Sw
— STAPLES Center (@STAPLESCenter) April 9, 2020
For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDC and WHO’s resource guides.
