Nearly two months ago, patients started arriving on ER doorsteps across America.

They came with colds, chills, coughs, congestion and fevers.

They came with concerns, questions and fears of the unknown “virus” creeping through communities on its way to becoming a full-blown global pandemic that has killed more than 210,000 people worldwide.

Meeting them at the doors were millions of health care workers ready and willing to put their lives on the line to protect patients from the coronavirus.

And beyond those ER walls, hospital personnel already were preparing for worst-case scenarios — not because they were instructed by any state or federal mandate to do so.

Not because of any projection graphics or doom-and-gloom predications.

No. These doctors, nurses, researchers — even secretaries and janitors — did it for a much bigger reason.

Us. All of us.

And they did it without thought or concern for their own well-being.

Prominent Boston physician Francis W. Peabody wrote in 1927 that “One of the essential qualities of the clinician is interest in humanity, for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”

Medical training is about so much more than just how to set limbs or medicine dosage or X-ray machines. It’s a matter of role-modeling that dates to revered Greek physician Hippocrates, godfather of medical ethics, professionalism and caring bedside manner.

In this edition of the Eagle, we celebrate our county’s tremendous health care workers and their commitment to join together on the front lines of medicine during these uncertain times. These brave men and women collectively accepted responsibility for caring for all of us.

They sacrificed time with their families and friends. They spent extra hours ensuring those impacted by COVID-19 walked through the hospital doors once more — this time on the way home to their loved ones.

Now is our chance as a community to celebrate these unsung heroes.

Let’s remember that #WeGotThisButlerCounty — and we’ve got it because of the amazing men and women walking the hallowed halls of our hospitals, rehab centers, veteran homes, nursing facilities and anywhere anyone needed them.