What ODs are grateful for this Thanksgiving, COVID edition

It’s that time of year again….Optometry Times® asks Editorial Advisory Board members what they are grateful for, and it’s no surprise that the big theme is COVID-19.

Check out the responses for our 6th annual survey, and see how they stacked up to years past as well.

• What ODs are grateful for: 2019 edition

• What ODs are grateful for in 2018

• What ODs are grateful for in 2017

• What eyecare providers are grateful for in 2016

• What eyecare providers are thankful for (our original story)

Bill Townsend, OD, FAAO Canyon, TX

I am grateful to live in a country where freedom is valued and humans have rights and opportunities.

Tracy Schroeder Swartz, OD, FAAO Madison, AL

I am grateful for support from my colleagues as I am less of a doctor and more of a mom this year. After a year of being unable to successfully eat or drink , my child will be eating Thanksgiving dinner.

Diana Canto-Sims, OD Chicago

I'm grateful no one I love died of COVID 19.

Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, Dipl ABO, ABCMO Memphis

No COVID yet.

Barbara J. Fluder, OD Valdosta, FL

My health! My family’s health! I’m grateful to be alive and well. Grateful to have job security. Grateful for friends and coworkers.

Between you and I, I am also grateful for yummy food, sunshine, doggies and kitties, and spirits!:)

Milton Hom, OD, FAAO Azusa, CA

I am thankful that industry is still innovating,moving, and planning ahead despite COVID.

Dori Carlson, OD Park River, ND

My health, my family, and the roof over our heads.

Jeff Anshel, OD, FAAO Encinitas, CA

My health!!!!!!!!!

Justin Bazan, OD Brooklyn, NY

Good health.

Paul Chous, OD, FAAO Tacoma, WA

• I still have an income

• My family is healthy

• My cat, Kiki

• Gretchyn Bailey—the most patient editor I know

Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO Scottsdale, AZ

That wearing masks now makes using mints and brushing my teeth less important.

Pamela Miller, OD, FAAO Highland, CA

Having my family and staff stay safe is highest on the list. We have been able to continue seeing patients throughout this entire period, so I am extremely grateful for my staff of several decades and my patients who have continued to support our office, despite the challenges faced by all of us.

I am also grateful for the Hallmark Channel that plays every day and night so that I don’t have to listen to all the negative news that is endless, depressing, and much of which is slanted and incomplete in its coverage. A shame for those who are in the reporting business, but great for those of us who are optometrists and help people see so they can choose which media they turn to for their daily news bulletins.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Marc Taub, OD, FAAO Memphis

Laughter…

The ability to laugh with other people, laugh at other people, and be laughed at.

Ben Gaddie, OD, FAAO Lexington, KY

That my business is still open while government restrictions and mandates have bankrupted so many great companies in this country.

Joseph P. Shovlin, OD, FAAO Scranton, PA

For the forthcoming SARS CoV-2 vaccines that are both safe and effective. And for family and friends that have had COVID-19 and have survived the ordeal.

Chris Wroten, OD Hammond, LA

• My wonderful family

• Friends and colleagues who look out for one another and genuinely care about each other

• Being part of a profession that rises to the challenge to meet patients’ needs, even in the midst of a global pandemic