First responders plan parade to celebrate Prisma Health workers
Prisma Health, Richland County and the city of Columbia have come together to organize a parade on Friday to recognize health care workers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
First responders will gather at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, near the BullStreet district, at 11:40 a.m. on Friday near the back of the facility, according to a new release issued Tuesday. From there, they’ll circle the building in cars, making several stops as team members wave along the route.
After that, the parade will move to Prisma Health Baptist Hospital near Main Street, with a planned arrival time of 12:15 p.m. and ending around 12:25 p.m., with no stops.
Prisma spokeswoman Tammie Epps said the idea for the parade came from the county and city’s first responders as a way to show their appreciation for the dedication of health care workers who are going “beyond the call of duty every day and in this COVID-19 pandemic.”
During the pandemic, when health officials have stressed the importance of social distancing to slow the spread of the virus, “car parades” have become increasingly common for birthdays, holidays and other occasions. Schools, including ones in South Carolina, have also held them to lift spirits and keep communities connected.
Across the world, communities have also found ways to express appreciation for health care workers, first responders and essential workers during the crisis, via applause, thank-you notes and lawn signs.
As of Thursday, nearly 5,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported across South Carolina, with 150 deaths. Prisma announced last week that more than 100 of its own team members have tested positive for the virus.
