Let’s remember how we did it in March, April and May

As more Northwest Corner towns have become red zones in the past weeks for cases of COVID-19, the sense of urgency surrounding control of the coronavirus here has escalated palpably. During the just-passed Thanksgiving holiday, many families who traditionally give thanks and share turkey together in the same room did so virtually, through other creative means.

Some groups were glad to share special dishes among themselves, so if they lived close enough to each other to do it, they left portions of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pies and more for their loved ones to enjoy. Just the outreach and the caring of making enough to go around surely made everyone feel part of something bigger than themselves. 

And, to the great credit of volunteers who cared enough to make it happen, there were still holiday dinners distributed from food banks and churches throughout the region, so those in need were not forgotten in the fog of the pandemic. There are more of those who need support to feed themselves and their families during the economic challenges created by the coronavirus. Whether families and individuals are affected by unemployment, the slowing of the economy leading to fewer work hours, illness from the virus itself, or some combination of all these, they are in a very different place than they were at this time last year.

There is some good news from Geer Village Senior Community in North Canaan, which reports no new cases for 14 days, after a surge of cases. Noble Horizons in Salisbury has now reported  a case among its staff, but none so far for any residents. For these communities, though, and other senior and medical facilities, there should be no blame placed on them when, after months and months of keeping the extremely contagious virus at bay, some finally creeps in. Their workers are extremely cautious, and have learned to be careful with contact from anyone in the community at large with their patients or residents.   

What we should all remember is how grateful all of us were in March, April and May for the courage of front-line workers, those in medical jobs, delivery jobs, grocery stores and more. Their work is as essential as ever, but keeping at it is harder than it was even in the beginning. They have experienced everything from burnout to verbal abuse from customers to contending with the illness not only in patients, but in themselves. Some have left their jobs due to stress or illness, or needing to care for their children or other relatives at home, leaving those still working overwhelmed. 

Let’s remember that feeling of gratitude to these essential workers, and let them know again now how much their efforts mean to their communities. And as we look forward to the next round of the holidays at the end of the month, let’s all try to practice responsible distancing, hand washing, hand sanitizing and mask wearing in public, to keep the spread of COVID-19 to a minimum. 

That is what will help those workers the most: Everyone working together to try to be  as careful as possible while continuing to live as normally as possible. Thanks to all of those workers for keeping society going during one of the most difficult times in memory.