A number of police cruisers with lights flashing and sirens arrived at the North Bay Regional Health Centre Tuesday night. Thankfully, it was not for an emergency but instead, the service sent this convoy of police cruisers to the hospital to salute frontline hospital workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
"Tonight we were honoured to have the North Bay Police Service pay tribute to our NBRHC staff and physicians as we work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the North Bay Regional Health Centre stated on its Facebook page.
The police then lined up at the Hospital entrance to say "thank you" from a distance.
"Thanks for the ongoing efforts of all of your staff," the North Bay Police Service stated via Twitter Tuesday night.
"We recognize you. We salute you."
John Schultz, North Bay Police Service Community Safety Coordinator, says this was an initiative started by Platoon Four.
"The message was one of recognizing that, with all the extra demands on our medical community, police appreciates their efforts," stated Schultz.
"The Officers wanted them to pause for a brief moment and realize that everyone supports them and thanks them for what they are doing."
One nurse also went to social media to say thanks.
"The North Bay Police Department brought the noise to us tonight. Many tears shed by many grateful healthcare workers! Thank you so much North Bay for cheering on all of the frontline workers during this trying time and while we would love to see you here as well it isn't safe so we thank the NBPD for bringing it on everyone's behalf," the nurse stated.
The salute is part of a new phenomenon that has cropped up across the country to honour essential workers. Even here in North Bay residents have created a group to do a cheer at 7:30 p.m. every night.
See related: North Bay Neighbourhood Cheer
