Coronavirus, covid-19 or whatever you may call it, it’s here and so are troubled times. So, what should we do? Unfortunately, what a lot of people are doing is panicking, hoarding household necessities and medical supplies. This is where, as Americans we have failed. Buying up everything
in sight and leaving nothing for anyone else. Why did we do this?
1. Who’s
at risk?
2. What
should we do?
3. What
freedoms are we willing to give up?
4. What
help should we expect?
We are all at risk from this virus. From the very young to the very old, but the people who are in the greatest danger from this virus are those over 60 years of age, with heart disease or respiratory issues. People with a compromised Immune system and people who smoke or vape just to name a few. What about “essential personal” they may be at a greater risk than those who are able to shelter in place. They do this to make sure that our lives stay as normal as possible, but who are the “essential personal?”
In these troubled times some of the “essential personal” are easily identified. The medical professionals, the first responders, the police, fire and the paramedics, but who else is essential to keep our lives as normal as possible? Let’s start with the farmers who grow our food and the truckers who deliver our food, medicine, fruits, vegetables, clothes, gas and almost everything we use every day. Yes, they are essential. Who else? How about the retail workers? You know the one that the guy in front of you cussed out because she told him, store policy was one package of toilet paper not five.
Are the restaurant workers important? You might think, well we can’t go sit and eat, so why are these jobs important? You can and should, (if you can afford it) buy one meal a week, curbside from your favorite local restaurant. This will help keep them in business. But are they essential? Some of these restaurant owners, feed their laid off employees at least one time a day, so they know that their employees are able to have one good meal a day. Others are feeding the emergency room workers at no cost. I think that you say could that they are essential. How about the blue-collar workers? The repair man, the plumber and the pest control guy, are these jobs essential? If your refrigerator goes out, or your toilet backs up, you might need the first two, but pest control? What do they do that’s essential? How about protecting the food supply of the nation from vermin? Protecting your home and health from household pests such as; German roaches, bed bugs, rats and other disease caring invaders. I’d say that the blue-collar worker is an essential worker.
What can we do to let these “essential personal” know that we appreciate them and all that they do for us in these troubled times? We can be kind. These people are out there at a risk to their own health to make our lives easier. Smile and say hello. Kindness goes a long way especially in times like these. Encourage the retailers, first responders and service people you see. Offer them a bottle of water, a kind word and pay your bill at time of service.
One thing the people and the government seem to forget, if you are bringing home a paycheck and provide for your family, then you are “essential personal!”
Remember we are all in this together. Many people are scared. Many are losing their jobs, through no fault of their own and money is tight. People are getting sick or have family that are elderly. Stress levels are sky high; everyone is on edge. This is the perfect storm for people to panic. What should we do? First turn off the news. Stay informed, we all need to know what’s going on, but not 24/7.
Take personal responsibility. Stay home when you can. Listen to the CDC. Wash your hands, practice social distancing and the other things that we are asked to do. The more we do this, the faster our lives can return to normal. If you know of an elderly person go shopping for them, it will ease their mind. If you have an over abundance of a household necessity, then make sure that your neighbor has enough to get by.
Keep moving. The doctors tell us that exercise increases our endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine which are all mood enhancing chemicals in the body. Take a walk or a run around the block. If you are quarantined, then there are many exercise videos on-line to help you keep moving.
Try to eat healthier than when you are rushed to get to work. The top ten foods for mood enhancement may surprise you.
1. All
kinds of nuts
2. Fish
(you can catch your own)
3. Whole
grains
4. Fruit
5. Vegetables
6. Fermented
foods (Sauerkraut, kombucha, some yogurts)
7. Beans
and peas
8. Hot
cocoa
9. Grain
fed beef
10. Coffee
(Yes even coffee is a good mood enhancer)
Keep in contact with your loved ones. Call, text and facetime your kids, grandchildren, siblings, parents and friends. It is important in times like this to feel that human connection that we might be missing on a daily basis.
Keep your mind sharp as well. Read, work a crossword, write in a journal, work with your hands. Do anything to keep yourself busy. Even if it’s cleaning out the garage or doing yard work. Keep busy.
The United States Congress just passed and President Trump will sign a two trillion-dollar relief bill, which will help out the American people and businesses. They are also working on free testing and no cost treatment plans for people infected with covid-19. Hopefully this will help relieve the fear and financial uncertainty that the American people are feeling. If your family is experiencing a financial hardship because of the pandemic, if you can’t make some of your bills, don’t just not pay them. There is help out there. The first thing you must do is call your creditor. Most creditors have adapted a plan for the financial fallout with the shut-down of so many businesses. Most will defer a payment for a few months and are willing to work with you. These businesses understand that you are their customers, but you must call them. If you simply don’t pay your bill, then it will be marked as a non-payment and will even affect your credit. MAKE THAT CALL!
With all the things the government is giving us to help, what freedoms are they taking away? The First Amendment guarantees us the freedom of religion. To worship how and when we please, but some want to stifle some of our beliefs. We also have the freedom of speech and the press. As a writer this is very important to me. As Americans we can say or write what we like as long as it doesn’t cause fear and panic (yelling fire in a movie). But some in the government and the media want to silence us, because we believe differently than they do. Some even try to suppress the Presidents speech. Freedom of assembly. Some states, New York, New Jersey and California to name a few have a shelter in place act. I understand this is for the greater good, but for how long? A week, a month or until the government tells you it’s okay to go outside? That’s not the freedom so many have fought for. If we are sequestered in our home how can we petition the government over our grievances?
The Second Amendment reads “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Yet the same three states above and some others are closing gun shops and some are releasing people from prisons. Doesn’t our personal protection fall under the Second Amendment? I’ve seen a man punch a woman over toilet paper on the news, what will happen if our food supply gets low?
What about the Fourth Amendment? “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” As a nation we have to be very careful of what the government might take away in the name of help. Rahm Emanuel’s famous quote: “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before.” Unfortunately, this is how some of our elected leaders feel. And Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a crisis!
Instead of worrying why don’t we turn back to God? No matter what faith you may be, a person’s beliefs are an essential part of who they are. Most church services have been canceled, but many have an online services, or you can find a service on Youtube, Facebook or T.V. service to fit your needs. Find strength and comfort in God’s word and pray. My wife and I pray together every night. You can find peace in talking to God.
I think that in this crisis, we, as a nation are learning who and what is really important. We are finding out that the entertainers, the athletes and the talking heads are not as important as the farmers, the truckers or the average American blue-collar worker.
In troubled times like this, it may be better to rely on God, family and yourself than on the government. We are all in this together, if we can show personal responsibility and respect for our brothers and sisters, this pandemic may not be as bad as we are told.
We need to go back to being one nation. Back before there were hyphenated Americans. It didn’t matter where you were from, what you believed, what color your skin was, we were all Americans.
Let’s be kind to each other, lend a helping hand and get through this pandemic as one people. As Americans.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. God bless.
