Sometimes I wonder about humanity. With wars, shootings, social media that is anything but social, and more selfies than one could possibly ever get through, it has felt, at times, like we might just be doomed. And then COVID-19 happened.
At first, it seemed everywhere I looked there was another story, anecdote, or meme about toilet paper hoarding, hand sanitizer and sanitizing spray disappearing, and people in a race to clear grocery store shelves. Of course, there was, and still is, political posturing, name-calling, and pay raises for elected leaders – that never seems to change.
But then, I noticed something miraculous happening around me that was spreading far and wide. Social media warriors got together – correctly social distanced – and went to work. They spread a call to arms in various groups. There is now a stitching army making masks by the tens of thousands. So much so that there is now a shortage of elastic. But that didn’t stop these jolly stitchers from their projected goal. Nope. They turned to creative methods like cutting up t-shirts and using hair bands, shoelaces, and homemade bias tape. And the army of needle jockeys and hookers went to work knitting and crocheting yarn straps for those face masks to take the pressure off the backs of sore ears everywhere.
There is the cute couple from small-town southern Nevada who go from isolated place to isolated place with banjo and songs to brighten the days of all who would hear them.
School lunch ladies (and men) crank through hundreds and thousands of meals each day to make sure no child goes hungry. Teachers scramble to find creative new ways to keep their students connected and learning.
In four short days, after a call for a worldwide fast and prayer on April 10, a brand new Facebook page has amassed more than 360,000 members from all walks of life from diverse religions and belief systems from all over the world.
Shuttered restaurants are providing meals for first responders and truckers. Hotels are providing rooms free of charge to first responders and weary truckers. Distilleries are making hand sanitizer. Manufacturing plants are making N95 face masks and other necessities. People are helping strangers. Neighbors are making sure neighbors aren’t going hungry or without toilet paper and other necessities. Subscription services are offering extended free trial periods so people can watch television, enjoy movies, listen to or read books, and exercise.
Truckers have become heroes alongside other first responders who are working around the clock to protect people they didn’t know before this crisis. Mail carriers and package delivery people quietly go about keeping us connected to the outside world.
Kids who will miss their proms and, possibly, their traditional graduation ceremonies are finding ways to help the younger kids with school. They may be sad, but they aren’t beaten. They are resilient and good.
Parents, wearied to the bone with trying to find their footing amidst this time of uncertainty, fear, and chaos are doing their best to assure their children that this, too, shall pass.
I don’t know when this is going to end. I don’t know what the new normal will look like. But looking for the positives that have grown from this mess brings me hope. It quells my fear. It feeds my faith.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks to all who work to show us that humanity is still here. It is quietly and steadfastly working to create a better world for all who call Earth home. Our new normal won’t be anywhere near perfect, but it can be good. It can be a place where we can continue working to become better until we transform into what is best.