SWFL health workers honored for their effort to treat coronavirus patients

We are #GulfshoreStrong, and a local story proves it!

Lee County Sheriff’s Office hosted a heartfelt tribute Friday night for health care workers at Gulf Coast Medical Center.

The parking lot was electric when our crew was at the medical center’s campus at the end of the week. There were close to 250 deputy cruisers at GCMC, and they all had lights shining bright all at once. There were even helicopters that flew over the medical center once during a moment of silence and again when all the lights started flashing.

The event was called “Southwest Florida Stronger Together,” and it was an opportunity for people from Lee County, the sheriff’s office, Lee Health and NCH Healthcare System to thank the doctors, nurses and hospital workers on the front lines during this pandemic.

“And, yes, we’re all distant right now,” Commissioner Brian Hamman said. “We’re all at home doing our part. We know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and we know there’s a day when we’re going to come together, and it’s going to be because of the great work that you all are doing. And so thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you do.”

We also heard from others, such as Sheriff Carmine Marceno, who spoke about the bravery health care workers are showing, many of whom being asked to show up to work every day, knowing that they will be helping people while they battle the virus.