34 Of The Most Dedicated Essential Workers Who’ll Restore Your Faith In Humanity

When the pandemic struck, many of us found ourselves sitting at home, either working remotely or not even being able to work at all. But not everyone was in lockdown—there were the essential workers who were out there, helping push away the tide of the coronavirus by working onsite.

Now, these people aren’t just medics, police, firefighters, grocery store employees, and pharmacists. As lockdown conditions were gradually lifted, people like restaurant workers, barbers, Uber drivers, and many others returned to work, risking getting infected, but also helping the world adapt and becoming essential workers in the process.

And even though, sad to say, the companies and institutions that these people represent were rarely actually thankful for the work they do, it’s the internet that showed just how much we should be appreciative of essential workers and how awesome they are despite the harsh circumstances.

Bored Panda has collected some of the best and most wholesome posts and stories about essential workers and why they’re awesome in appreciation of their hard work and dedication. We invite you to read through them below, and, while you're there, why not vote and comment on the ones you liked the most!

#1 When The Kindergartners Learn Sign Language So That They Could Wish Their Deaf Janitor A Happy Birthday

Image credits: joshuaa_18

#2 When Your Barber Was The Reason Why Someone's Last Days Seemed Like The Best Ones

Image credits: bella3774

#3 When Your Uber Driver Takes You To The Hospital And Ends Up Keeping You Company Because Your Family Is Out Of State

Image credits: super_slide

#4 When Your Amazon Courier Also Brings Back Your Trash Cans That Have Been Knocked Over And Pushed Away By Strong Winds

Image credits: itsRichHill1

#5 When You're On Your First Day Of School, Nervous As Heck, And The Bus Driver Holds You Hand Throughout The Entire Trip So That You Would Feel Comforted

Image credits: S4ndy_m4n

#6 When You Treat Your Janitors Like Human Beings And Be Their Friends

Image credits: mhdksafa

#7 When The School Bus Driver Gets A Bunch Of Valentine's Candies And Cards For The Kids He Drives Daily

Image credits: zaynthelegend

#8 When Post Couriers Take A Slight Detour On Their Route To Make A Girl's Birthday That Much Better

Image credits: Mrs_ConCon1787

#9 When Road Workers Find Time To Explain To The Neighborhood Kids How Roads Work

Image credits: iBleeedorange

#10 When Waiters Walk The Extra Mile To Show Support For A Post-Op Client

Image credits: NHLFlyera

#11 When Your Cashiers Don't Know The Meaning Of Fear And Tackle A Big Spider Head-On

Image credits: STOPFLEXIN

#12 When Actual Human Beings Work In The Service Industry And Make You Feel More At Home Than Real Home

Image credits: sarahhhclifton

#13 When Your Local Bus Driver Decorates Every Halloween And Gives Out Candy

Image credits: Roger_JCT

#14 When The Elementary School Bus Driver Asks Every Kid On The Bus What They Want For Christmas And Then Proceeds To Fulfill Everyone's Wish

Image credits: wj7_02

#15 When Your Local McDonald's Sends Their Condolences Regarding Your Late Grandpa Who Used To Frequent Said McDonald's

Image credits: hovee

#16 When You Come Out To Your Very Religious Family Who Decide You're Not Welcome To Family Holidays, And Then Your Professor Invites You Over

Image credits: snooppii

#17 When The Local Police Bring Your Drunk Self Home

Image credits: BigBigPanis

#18 When The Neighborhood Garbage Collectors Show Some Love For A Boy And Get Him A Swag Bag With A Garbage Truck

Image credits: Natalie Brenneman

#19 When A 62 Y.o. Doctor Of 30+ Years Decides To Volunteer At The Covid Unit Because He Never Thinks Of Himself—only The Patients

Image credits: Joncoll914

#20 When You Try Your Best And Your Teacher Appreciates The Effort Instead Of Being Harsh

Image credits: kerszr

#21 When Your Neighbor Is A Paramedic And The Entire Neighborhood Gathers For A Round Of Applause For All The Hard Work They Do

Image credits: ledgendary

#22 When The Nurses Work 36-Hour Shifts With Just One Protective Suit And Are Soaking Wet After They Take It Off

Image credits: zirhli0

#23 When Your Mailman Is An Ex-Soccer Player And Your Daughter Starts Asking For Daily Tips On It, Which Turns Into A Soccer Lesson

Image credits: TwoSixtySix

#24 When It's A Pandemic And This San Pedro Librarian Pedals With Books On A Mission To Gather Young Readers

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#25 When Your Postman Leaves A Package As Well As Some Doggie Treats For Your Good Boy

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#26 When You're A Kid And You Ask A FedEx Courier To Bring Your Skateboard To Tony Hawk, And He Does, And Then Tony Decides To Send One Of His Back

Image credits: jraharris89

#27 When Before Every Chemotherapy Session, A 9 Y.o. Stops At A Starbucks Where The Employees Give Him A Pep Talk

Image credits: Thund3rbolt

#28 When You're Quitting A "Big Box Mart" Job And The Company Doesn't Acknowledge It, But The Baker Does

Image credits: kmonizzle

#29 When Your Barber Makes Sure The Homeless Live In Style

Image credits: allthekos

#30 When Your Bus Driver Takes The Time To Drive You Personally Home Because You Got Lost

Image credits: plankisonfire

#31 When The Bus Driver Vibes With A Child And Moves To "Shake It Off" By Tailor Swift

Image credits: sherlock_er

#32 When The Nurses At The Hospital You Give Birth At Mails You The Ultrasound Of Your Baby After You Left It In The Labor Room, Plus Congratulatory Greeting Card!

Image credits: tesss_tickles

#33 When Your Cashier Gives You A $1 Discount Because That's Exactly How Much You Need For Those Matador Bites

Image credits: PrematurePatriot

#34 When A Restaurant Is Extra Thankful For Your Patronage

Image credits: ChineseRoughDiamond