CLEVELAND — Northeast Ohio leaders marked two years since the coronavirus pandemic changed lives across the state.
A choir of Cleveland Metropolitan School District students helped honor those lost to COVID, celebrated life and the progress made, and also challenged those listening to step up.
“We realized how frail life can be, how short life can be and how we need to set all of our differences aside and work together to help heal this land,” said Bishop Omar Medina.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb announced March 15 as the official Remembrance and Resilience day for the city.
“To reflect on the lives lost from COVID-19, but also to reflect on the great hope that will arise if we do the hard work and come together as a city and a region once again,” said Bibb.
While leaders also took time to recognize the first responders and health care workers who helped keep the city together and people safe, paramedic Sarah Cohen offered perspective on overcoming challenges.
“This pandemic has been a dark time for many of us, regardless of how close to home, loss, grief, fear and general uncertainty have been throughout it,” Cohen said. “But despite that darkness, living through it has taught me that we can’t wait for the light at the end of the tunnel. We have to deal with the daily stress by finding the small light in the moments that we do have and by coming together to help each other find those lights.”
