RIO DE JANEIRO — People around the world have been paying tribute to front-line healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Madrid, residents in apartment buildings applaud local medical staff each night, entire neighbourhoods in Denver participate in a nightly howling in honour of essential workers, while in London, Ontario, a convoy of trucks and tractors recently drove by hospital staff, blaring their horns in tribute.
In Rio, Christ the Redeemer receives a coat and stethoscope projection in honor of health professionals. #HealthWorkers
Congratulations and thank you to ALL professionals from all over the world! #HealthyAtHome #COVID19 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/lCaLQTqXiw— ???????????????????? #StaySafe (@oscarneww) April 13, 2020
But perhaps the most magnificent display of gratitude came courtesy of Brazil.
In Rio de Janeiro, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue was lit up on Easter Sunday to look like a healthcare worker wearing a medical coat and stethoscope. Projections also illuminated it with the word ‘Obrigado’, which means ‘thank you’ in Portuguese, as well as videos of medical workers around the world who conveyed messages of hope.
And to remind Brazilians to remain safe throughout the pandemic, the phrase #FiqueEmCasa’, meaning ‘Stay at home,’ was also projected onto the statue.
The beautiful tribute comes on the heels of Brazil recording its 1,000 death due to the coronavirus this past weekend, making it the first country in the southern hemisphere to reach the grim milestone.
