If I thought things were real last Sunday at Sam’s Club…Boy was I being naive. And it would appear I’m not the only one….In the last day I have heard so many people saying they didn’t really take this seriously. This video was eye opening (and tear jerking truth be told) and made by someone deemed essential on the front lines of this battle. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GX-D1DKJ_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The father of one of my son’s friends is fighting for his life with a confirmed case of COVID-19. An employee of the school district in another elementary school also has a confirmed case. But this really isn’t surprising…it was always just a matter of time. This isn’t just a flu. And while these people were not ‘Essential’ from a business perspective, they are Essential to their families.
Part of me feels like I need to just take a breath and say “easy does it”. But the another part of me wants to tell my boys where the passwords are to our bank accounts and give them the combinations to the safes. But the reality for me is hold it together and don’t let my kids see my fear. My reality is a constant prayer that runs on repeat, “Please Lord, spare my friends and family, heal my community, give us strength and resilience in these trying times”
I think about my husband, who while not on the ‘front lines’ is considered “essential”. I hope he knows that while his job is important, that keeping the heat on at Jackson County Medical is important work, and that helping to insure the family business is a legacy for the next generation means something, above all else he is ESSENTIAL to his wife and his children and grandchildren. The image of Jake’s friend’s facebook tribute to his father is burned into the back of my eyes. I can’t unsee that, and I can’t unfeel what I am feeling. And the prayer goes on.
I know that the physical suffering of the people infected with COVID-19 is not the only suffering our communities are going to go through. I know that the financial suffering of those that can’t make a wage because they are not essential, or because they have had to shutter their businesses, or have been laid off will be tremendous. The ripples of this will hit every sector of the community before this is over. I understand why some politicians want to open up for business in 2 weeks, but to do so at the expense of people who are Essential to their families is insane.
Switching gears…
One of our banks has sent out information saying that all loans do not require payments until June…mortgages, car, boat, rv…you name it. What if all banks, credit card companies, and private lenders did that? The government could give them a tax credit for their losses (win/win). What about the utility companies, what if they said your monthly bills for the next two months will be waived, and the amount owed for these two months will be divided by 12 (or 18 for low income) and paid back over the course of a year, or year and a half. What if the only thing people had to pay for was food and medicine for the next two months? Just a thought. Maybe a ripple reducing thought.
And more food for thought: https://www.facebook.com/carlosenrique.casalducbujosa.12/videos/233015914555457/
Yesterday..(or maybe the day before, who can tell when days bleed into each other) I wrote about South Korea and their vastly different approach to the pandemic. Need I say more?
I leave you with this my friends, “Please Lord, spare my friends and family, heal my community, give us strength and resilience in these trying times”
Amen.
