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Even in a tough year, here are 44 things we’re thankful for

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(In no particular order)

1. Health care workers, who do their jobs with a smile on their face despite the long hours and the daily risks they face.

2. Teachers, for adopting new ways to educate and keep kids engaged, even as they deal with their own coronavirus-related difficulties.

3. Anybody and everybody working in the Vegas hospitality industry. You are the bedrock that keeps this town standing.

DR. BRIAN LABUS, UNLV PROFESSOR AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE EXPERT

“I’m thankful for the UNLV School of Public Health graduate students who have made our student-run contact tracing team a reality. Many of them started by volunteering in the early days of the pandemic, simply because they wanted to help. We started with a budget of zero and a handful of students, and have built a paid team of nearly 200 students that investigates hundreds of cases per week. I am incredibly proud of them all, and they inspire me every day.”

4. Our pets, for keeping us company when we can’t see other people.

5. Curbside pickup. This should be a thing even after the virus is long gone.

6. The poll workers who volunteered amid a pandemic.

7. Bicycles.

8. Pizza. Just all of it. This year has been like a tournament of comfort foods, and pizza wins.

9. The availability of recipes on the internet.

10. People who wear masks (and do it properly—over the nose, please!).

11. Legal cannabis. And dispensaries that deliver it to your door, which still amazes us a little.

12. Tech that keeps us in touch, from FaceTime and Zoom to our smartphones and laptops themselves.

13. The new carpool lanes on the 15 and 95. Once Raiders games have crowds, you’ll fall in love with them, too.

14. Our climate, which allows us to continue spending time outdoors while folks around the country bundle up.

15. Circa Resort, for showing that even in the worst of times, Vegas pushes ahead.

16. Our queer, trans, nonbinary, BIPOC and LGBT friends and family, for their courage and strength.

17. Music, art, television, movies, books … and the endlessly creative folks who continue to generate them.

LAURA MARTIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PLAN (Progressive Leadership Alliance of America)

“I am thankful for PLANistas who have shown resilience and love in the face of a pandemic and continued police terrorism.I’m thankful for a community who holds each other so we can thrive together with dignity.”

18. Telemedicine. During a year in which a doctor’s office or hospital was the last place you wanted to be, the effort of our medical community to provide care over video calls has been a massive boon.

19. Delivering With Dignity, for getting meals to home-bound seniors and others.

20. Low interest rates, which have provided flexibility for homeowners—and home buyers—during an otherwise brutal economic time.

21. The opportunity to slow down, take long walks and appreciate friends and family (from a distance).

22. Sourdough bread, the unofficial mascot of 2020.

23. Our new pro football team, for providing weekly distraction from the tough stuff. Roll on, Las Vegas Raiders!

24. The expansion of outdoor dining.

25. All the rescue groups who’ve worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep animals safe and connect them with forever homes.

26. Mental therapy, which can truly change one’s life for the better—and keep a hard life from turning much worse.

DEREK STEVENS, OWNER OF THE D, GOLDEN GATE AND CIRCA

“This has been a challenging year to say the least, but through it all, I watched as the people of Vegas banded together. The resiliency of our city makes me proud, and I’m grateful to be part of a leadership community that will work side by side to bring Vegas back stronger than ever in 2021.”

27. Tourists, for continuing to pour money into our economy.

28. Ample amounts of toilet paper on grocery store shelves. Let’s keep it that way.

29. Southern Nevada’s many naturally beautiful spots, from Red Rock to Mount Charleston and beyond, for bringing us needed reprieve from the uncertainty and stress

30. Bandcamp, which provides an easy way for Vegas artists to get their music heard, even when they can’t tour or perform.

31. Alcohol.

32. People who sincerely exude kindness over judgment.

33. Postal service workers and other delivery drivers.

34. Las Vegas’ small businesses, which have weathered unendurable hardship by adapting on the fly.

35. J Dapper, for doing the (seemingly) impossible: acquiring the Huntridge Theater and moving forward with plans to revamp it.

36. The unbelievably generous folks comprising the local restaurant industry, many of whom have donated time, money and energy to help the community even as their businesses struggled, and in some cases, failed.

37. Backyards and swimming pools.

SONIA EL NAWAL, CHEF AND OWNER OF ROOSTER BOY CAFÉ

“I’m thankful for my incredible staff and customers that keep showing up and supporting Rooster Boy Café during these difficult times, keeping our restaurant in business and a roof over our heads. Because of them, we have been able to continue adapting and serving the community.”

38. Yoga.

39. Activists, for showing up and speaking out against injustice, even in the face of violence.

40. Three Square, which has continued to feed Southern Nevada during this difficult year.

41. Grocery store workers, for risking their own health every day to make sure we all have food to eat.

42. Las Vegas Weekly’s delivery drivers.

43. Our loyal readers. That’s you!

44. Progress, no matter how small.

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