Keeping it together, in spite of it all

During this week when our national leaders are telling us this will be our Pearl Harbor or 9/11 event, it is surely difficult for many of us to find the strength to face the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes the virus has already wrought on human life worldwide have been jarring for those as yet unaffected by the disease themselves, and often devastating for those who have been. How do we face what is yet to come?

The leadership that will help us get through will need to be found in places other than at the top of our government, the presidency. Fortunately, there are governors here in Connecticut and in New York and Massachusetts who are consistent, courageous and responsive, and who also show real empathy and compassion for their fellow citizens. As long as we in the Northwest Corner and its neighboring states know what the current conditions are, and how we need to deal with them, we will surely do the best we can to manage the repercussions of the coronavirus spreading more widely into our region.

Those who are working at the front lines of administering to the sick are brave and admirable, and will have the gratitude of their society for years to come. The mantra of all of us being in this together has rung resoundingly true with so many health care workers remaining on the job, and others volunteering to make masks and bring food to the hungry and quarantined and take other steps to help their neighbors.

It is as time goes on and more of us are affected that we will all need to remember that doing our part means understanding the needs of others as those needs change and increase, even as it might be oneself or one’s own family who has to deal with being ill and possibly not recovering.

We salute all who are responding to the coronavirus challenges, but today we especially call out the courage of parents of young children whose lives have been turned upside down, whether they are still working outside the home, or remotely, have been laid off from their jobs or worked at home full time caring for their families and homes pre-COVID-19. Their first priority will be the physical and emotional health of their children, who no matter their ages understand that life is not what it used to be and the reason is frightening. All children know what it is to catch bugs, especially in the winter, so to now be severely restricted in what they can do because of this new bug has got to be confusing and fraught with anxiety.

Parents need to feel they can reach out for any support they can find to get through this tough time, and there are resources for that kind of help. Teachers have also been stressed, but have been reportedly widely to be doing an amazing job of keeping students engaged and often comforted as well, all while trying to keep up on their studies remotely. Flexibility is key, responding to students’ emotional needs as well as their educational ones.

There are psychologists who are treating people online, and organizations like Women’s Support Services that also can give help remotely. All should take advantage of any help they can get in order to manage the unforeseen problems of these unprecedented times.

Thank you, parents, for persevering, and keeping our next generation safe and comforted. Your keeping it all together, hard as it is, will mean everything once this time of pandemic wanes. Please feel free to share with us your thoughts and feelings as you deal with it day by day, week by week. Comment online at www.tricornernews.com or email publisher@lakevillejournal.com.