When I first started working on this blog several months ago, life was very different. The coronavirus was just beginning to rear its ugly head, and the rest of us were blissfully unaware of the long road that was before us.
Work was running us ragged, the kids were involved in endless activities, we had planned dinner parties, concerts, weddings, play dates, vacations; our calendars were full.
Now, entire countries are on lock-down; major cities are ghost towns; most of us are working from home or have been laid-off; we have only seen our loved ones on FaceTime; all of our plans have been cancelled. Life has changed in the blink of an eye.
I am not here to debate COVID-19 or how countries and governments are responding. I’m simply here to give you a big virtual hug and let you know, we will get through this. In these trying times, we need each other now more than ever. Even those people we’ve never met or only know through a digital screen.
To those of you on the front lines of this, I thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Medical professionals and first responders working overtime to care for the sick and protect our communities. Researchers and scientists trying desperately to find a cure and a vaccine.
Every retail service worker in grocery stores and essential needs merchandise. Those in the food industry strategizing how to keep your business afloat and safely provide food for your customers and the farmers who provide the food. All delivery personnel and truck drivers.
Those cleaning and sanitizing every surface imaginable. Factory and warehouse workers working overtime to restock shelves and provide us with necessary items. Businesses stepping up to replenish the dwindling crucial supplies needed in hospitals.
Garbage collectors and sanitation workers. Government officials and politicians making the difficult but necessary mandates. Everyone working behind the scenes to keep everything functioning.
Those working in morgues and funeral homes. Educators who have developed e-learning programs. Parents who have now become teachers. Those wondering where your next meal will come from.
Every single person who has been laid-off at work. To those worried about their loved ones on the front lines. Those questioning what the future holds.
To the lonely and heartbroken. And to everyone scared, concerned, and vulnerable: we are all with you, we support you, we stand united, and we’re in this together.
To all of you being responsible and practicing social distancing for the greater good of your community, your loved ones, and yourself–thank you. The sooner all of us work together to self-isolate and only leave the house when absolutely necessary, the sooner we can stop the spread of this highly contagious virus.
To those of you producing videos that make us laugh and images that bring smiles to our faces; to those of you putting on concerts from your home; and to those developing content that makes us feel good and takes our minds off of the scary unknown–thank you. We truly appreciate the humor and your willingness to share that with the world. We need it now more than ever. Keep the comedy and solace coming.
This is temporary. We will get through this. Eventually life will start getting back to whatever our new normal will be.
Just imagine how joyful that first gathering with your friends is going to be. How sweet that next hug from your elderly parent or grandparent is going to be. How much more we will appreciate time spent with our families and loved ones. Hopefully we all appreciate life and all its gifts a little bit more. Hopefully we all value and never forget the sacrifices each and every single one of us has made during this process.
Empathy is a word that weighs heavily on my heart these days. The ability to share and understand the feelings of another. Put yourself in the shoes of others; what are they going through and how can we help?
- The number one most important thing we can do for our community and for others is to practice social distancing. These are recommendations made by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Wash your hands. Disinfect surfaces. Protect yourself from getting sick, protect your family, and prevent the spread in your community. Here are some great videos about handwashing from the CDC.
- Take the time to send a handwritten note to someone.
- (From a distance of at least 6 feet!) Thank each and every staff member you encounter while out buying diapers, bread, and those necessary prescriptions.
- Order take out or purchase gift cards from local restaurants. Tip service workers as much as you can.
- If finances allow, donate money to non-for-profit organizations.
- Donate to food banks. Check locally to see what they need and what the requirements and stipulations are for donating now.
- If you are healthy and eligible, donate blood. Check the American Red Cross for more information.
- Send lots of pictures and videos to your family. Let them know what you’re doing around the house, how the kids are coping (and you, for that matter!), how many naps the dog took that day, what your survival strategies are. We have been given an opportunity and a gift to connect with our loved ones more than ever before.
- Turn off the news, and get out and go for a walk. It’s important we get some fresh air and sunlight. Just remember to keep a safe distance of at least 6 feet away from others.
- Organize activities for kids in your neighborhood. Someone in our neighborhood arranged a “scavenger hunt” on St. Patrick’s Day. People were asked to display a shamrock (decoration, hand-drawn, printed out, etc) on their doors or windows. Throughout the day, parents could then take their kids for a walk around the neighborhood to find the shamrocks. They took photos of each one they found and tried to find as many as they could. A lot of neighborhoods are also doing activities such as teddy bear scavenger hunts and writing encouraging messages to others in sidewalk chalk. These are wonderful ways to get people outside, get a little bit of exercise, and fun activities for the kiddos and parents alike, while continuing to maintain appropriate social distancing from others.
- These are isolating times. FaceTime, Skype, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, Whatsapp, social media: we have endless tools at our disposal to connect with friends and family. That conversation may be the only thing someone has to look forward to that day.
- And finally, spread love, not panic. Post positive, uplifting, funny messages to social media. We all know how dire these circumstances are. We don’t need reminders at every turn. Promote positivity and support. Show others love and bring a smile to their face. We need it now more than ever.
