To say we're all facing some challenges right now is an understatement. The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Travel has been restricted. Events across the U.S. have been cancelled. We're in an economic downturn. Many businesses are feeling the pinch and on and on and on.
As the pandemic continues, we're all being impacted in various ways, many of them pretty dramatic. You've almost certainly altered your life in some way. And if you're like many, you may be feeling more than a little fear and anxiety about the future. Uncertainty will do that. It always does.
Yes, as human beings and as citizens, we are in this boat together, and we're all struggling with the same emotions. But we can't just think of ourselves and our immediate families. We have fellow residents, employees, coworkers, and customers to consider as well. In a way, they're our family too, and right now, more than ever they need us.
While we can do our best to avoid and contain the coronavirus – frequent hand washing, social distancing, staying home, and so forth – for the most part, we have no control over what's going to happen on a global or even local scale. But as a member of our community, by performing best practices, we actually can have a positive impact on our resident's lives who count on us. This is both a human responsibility and a privilege.
First and foremost, we need to continue to stay focused and intentional about how we respond to this pandemic. What you/we do and how you/we behave over the next few weeks (or possibly months) will stay with us and our residents for a long time to come. Maybe those of us who so passionately believe in the power of community need to remember that our strength has always manifested on the local level. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: "Locally is where America is at its best". Communities can be the saving grace in a nation wracked by the coronavirus and more severely the fear of the coronavirus. I believe this with everything in me. And in the same way people are catching the "panic" bug, can't we also catch the "help each other" bug? I believe we can, and I believe it will happen on a community level. We're in this together.
I've told many people about how deadly this coronavirus can be if they don't change their behavior pattern. I tell them they must change their way of thinking and doing. If they haven't changed their habits and ways, they are on the wrong road and they are putting their life and others in jeopardy.
From a faith standpoint, yes, I believe in God and my Faith is stronger than ever and is stronger than fear. Even during times like this, I must not lean on my own understanding but in all of my ways acknowledge the Lord and he will direct me. The God I know and serve is still on the throne! Even during these challenging times, God is working through people. We all are aware of the first responders, doctors and nurses, putting their lives on the line to fight this deadly virus. There are also other people risking their own lives to serve us with essential services (food, groceries, supplies etc.) in our community.
The coronavirus won't last forever. Things will get better. Helping people put this moment in time in perspective, may help more than we realize. We're all making choices right now. We owe it to ourselves and others to follow the suggested guidelines and protocols of safety to choose wisely.
Take time to THANK our essential workers: first responders, medical personnel, essential store personnel that are providing our daily needs and others. Stay calm, we're in this together and ALL hands are on deck.
Finally, Be on Guard, Stand Firm in the Faith, Be Courageous, Be Safe and Be Strong!
