Xcel workers line up outside Regions Hospital to show support for doctors, nurses

Dozens of Xcel Energy workers lined up Wednesday morning across from Regions Hospital in St. Paul to show support for the doctors and nurses on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.

Several utility trucks lined up, lights flashing, outside the hospital's west entrance on Jackson Street, and Xcel employees strung up banners from bucket trucks with messages of encouragement for health care workers coming off the night shift.

A row of technicians in safety vests and hard hats applauded as medical workers walked by in their scrubs — a salute from one group of essential workers to another.

Regions President Megan Remark said the rally came together fairly quickly — the hospital didn't know it was happening until the night before.

"It's pretty overwhelming. Our physicians, our clinicians, all of our staff are working 24/7 to really make a difference and Xcel energy has been a great partner — they are so committed to quality and safety and that's exactly what we stand for," Remark said. "So this will really give a lift to our caregivers who are actually getting off work — have worked the night shift — as well as our caregivers coming in to start a new day."