Thanksgiving: Time to review 2020 and look forward to the future. And time to be thankful for our many blessings.
Exactly 8 months ago I wrote Cranford Dental Update: Coronavirus Quarantine. Certainly none of us knew where we were headed on March 24, 2020.
Without a doubt, this year has been trying. But we have lots to be thankful for. And we can be optimistic about the future of Rock Hill and our nation.
Review 2020: COVID and Rock Hill
2020 has been a unique and challenging year. Tragically, over 250,000 Americans died from COVID19 and 12 million became infected with the disease. And York County lost over 130 people.
Sadly, many of us lost friends and family during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Local businesses suffered. Families dealt with school and church shut downs. And we all missed special events and daily interactions with friends and family.
In my March post I discussed the sorrows of the Great Flu of 1918, which killed over 600,000 Americans and 17 to 50 million people worldwide. As I hoped in March, COVID has not been as bad—thus far.
Our leaders worked hard to keep our community as safe as possible. Individuals came together in support of local businesses. We prayed for the sick and offered help for families struck by the virus.
I truly believe we followed through on my wish from March 2020: We need to continue to be faithful in all areas of our lives: with family, friends, work, and spiritual, physical, and mental health.
Dr. Bill Cranford (from March 24, 2020)
A lesson from COVID: I know that I practice dentistry in a great community. And I truly believe that 2020 will make us stronger. Without a doubt, we have gained a new appreciation for relationships with our Rock Hill friends and neighbors.
Current 2020: Keep Rock Hill Safe
Unfortunately, COVID is still with us; in fact, scientists warn of a new wave as we approach the holidays.
This is not the time to let our guard down. Rather it is time to keep doing the right thing.
Always follow the three W’s:
- Wipe and disinfect surfaces
- Wash your hands often
- Wear your mask.
Masks work
Dental offices offer proof that these safety measures work. There have been no widespread outbreaks of the virus from dental offices nationwide. In fact, large numbers of dentists have not been infected.
Dentists specialize in patient safety. Thus we have worn masks for many years. During COVID we added additional infection control safety measures.
Masks work to protect our staff and our patients—even when we are inches away from many patients each day. Likewise, masks will work to help keep the public infection free.
Our staff wears masks (and faceguards for aerosol producing procedures) all day long—-every day. And we know that we will wear them for a long time ahead.
Remember that the virus is airborne. Wear your mask to protect yourself and everyone you come in contact with.
I know from experience that masks work!
Cranford Dental and Infection Control
Contact Cranford Dental if you want to discuss wearing masks or other safety measures we use to protect patients and staff.
Read about our Dental Office Infection Safety Procedures. Our staff goes the extra mile to make sure surfaces are safe and the air stays pure. You can do the same for home gatherings.
Our assistants would be happy to talk to you about infection control in our office or in your home.
COVID and our Future
I am hopeful. The vaccines from three different pharmaceutical companies may be ready in the coming weeks. Obviously, if they are 90% to 95% effective, sign me up!
I am encouraged. People in Rock Hill are wearing masks in public indoor spaces. Our local school leaders have done an exceptional job with plans to keep children safe. Churches are also following safety guidelines for the most part.
I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope that we will be finished with the COVID pandemic by Thanksgiving, 2021.
And I still hold to the belief in America that I expressed in March: A comfort to me is that our great country has faced tough times before. The United States always comes through better, stronger, and more unified after facing uncertainty.
Dr. Bill Cranford
COVID, Rock Hill, & Thankfulness
Eight months ago I expressed confidence in Rock Hill’s ability to pull together and come through this stronger and wiser. How exciting to see this play out as our community continues to grow and thrive!
Also from my March post—but oh so true:
The Coronavirus may be the calamity that defines this age. But certainly this virus will change our lives for a long time.
2020 has made me and many others appreciative of our many blessings.
As I review the past months, I think of many reasons to give thanks during this holiday season. This dentist is thankful for:
Wonderful Patients
Those who trust Cranford Dental with their oral healthcare have been amazing during the past eight months.
You were patient and respectful during the shutdown. And then you worked with us to implement new office procedures to keep everyone safe.
Thank you for coming to our office. We appreciate your commitment to oral health and preventive dental care.
We will do our best to take care of you.
My Fellow Workers
A big thank you to the staff at Cranford Dental!
I am amazed at how they balance being great moms (and grandmoms-and daughters, sisters) with working hard at our office. And I am touched at how much they care for the patients who they help care for.
Of course, this was even more evident during the COVID pandemic. They kept smiling and working efficiently even while adjusting to major disruptions at the office and at home.
Thanks to “the best team ever” for making our office a calm and happy place to work, especially during 2020.
FrontLine Workers
We are all thankful for those who sacrificed much and worked so hard during 2020.
Our hats are off (and masks on) to salute our nurses, hospital workers, physicians, and researchers. They treated the sick, worked towards a cure, and developed a vaccine. All with great personal sacrifice.
Thank you all!
Friends and Family
Many of us are more thankful than ever for family and friends. During the quarantine period we learned to slow down and focus on those closest to us.
To those who lost friends or family members this year, we grieve with you. And we remember those who are lonely and sad as the holidays approach.
May we find ways to reach out to and encourage others as this pandemic ends. We really do need each other.
Faith
Thanks to those who pray and trust for the goodness of God to reign when all seems dismal. We trust that a new day is coming.
I hold to my words from my March 24, 2020 post:
Dr. Bill Cranford, September 24, 2020
We will trust God, knowing that He cares for us individually and as a people. God is good. He has us in the center of the palm of His hand.
To all who provide comfort to those who are sick or down—Your faith is evident. Thanks for believing.
Our Community
I am thankful to so many here in Rock Hill who are considerate and respectful, putting others before self. You are doing good with mask wearing and courteous social distancing in public. Keep it up!
Our community leaders have taken the Coronavirus seriously and encouraged us to do the right thing. They made us feel like we were “all in this together.”
We saw the officials from city and county government work with schools and businesses to come up with solutions that worked well for Rock Hill.
Cranford Dental, Rock Hill, & COVID
Contact Cranford Dental or call our office 803-324-7670 if you have questions or comments after reading this post. Or if you want to share a spirit of hope for the future.
You can also leave comments below—or words that may encourage others.
My family has lived and worked in Rock Hill for a long time and have invested in this community. I know that we will come out of 2020 strong and optimistic.
And working together, we will continue to make our city great for our children and grandchildren.
From all of us at Cranford Dental: Have a blessed Thanksgiving and holiday season. And best wishes for as amazing 2021!
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