‘Get through this together’: Gracious gestures aplenty in Myrtle Beach amid coronavirus

Several messages have been persistent amid the coronavirus pandemic, such as “stay at home,” “practice social distancing,” and “stay 6 feet apart.”

However, others — with more positive connotations — have paralleled them, such as “thank you” and “hope.”

Indeed, all across the Myrtle Beach area there have been gracious gestures amid the fear and anxiety that’s come with COVID-19.

On Friday, SkyWheel Attractions — which operates the SkyWheel in Myrtle Beach — shared a video in which it thanks first responders, hospital workers, essential workers, delivery drivers and others, stating “to those we see and those behind the scenes, we at SkyWheel say thank you.”

“In these challenging times, we want to recognize the people who are working to keep us safe, healthy and as connected as possible,” Mandy Sybrandy, Director of Attractions, said in a prepared statement. “We understand they are the ones sacrificing everything in order to keep the rest of the world functioning.”

Meanwhile, police and fire departments and hospitals across Horry County have helped support each other with help from area businesses such as Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits, IHOP, Sherwin-Williams and others as protecting the public has become more strenuous during these trying times. Members from local police and fire departments have also taken time to read books to children virtually to lessen the burden on parents having their kids home more than usual.

“We’re going to get through this together,” Horry County Fire Rescue stated in a Facebook post. “When we get to the other side of this challenge, let’s not forget everyone who stepped up to help!”

Countless citizens have offered up positive vibes, whether it be members from Pawleys Island Community Church creating more than 1,800 cards for Tidelands Health employees or local musicians holding virtual concerts to keep folks entertained.

In fact, other gestures have come from artistic messages. As of Friday, a chalk painting thanking essential employees and first responders adorned the sidewalk along Farrow Parkway and Hackler Street in The Market Common. Meanwhile, one oceanfront hotel is sharing a message of “hope” via a lighting display that goes up 15 stories.

“It’s probably something we’ll keep up for a little while,” South Bay Inn & Suites manager Rob Dowd said.