The coronavirus outbreak has had an impact on every person in the United States, as well as the entire world. If you are under the age of 70, you most likely have never experienced a nation-wide emergency. In America, we find it hard to imagine the idea of waiting in line to get into a grocery store and seeing empty shelves – no water, no bread, very little meat, no paper products or cleaning products, and no frozen food.
The economy is going to crash. People are losing their jobs. They will not have money to pay for housing or food or regular monthly expenses. This is what people believe is happening all over America. However, we are worrying about the wrong things. The irrelevant things. These are things of fantasy movies, not reality. Americans are so used to instant gratification; getting whatever they want, anytime they want it. This concept is so inconceivable that it creates panic. It brings out the worst in us. We want and hoard everything. We do not care how that affects you because it becomes all about ME and me only.
Is this what we really want to define us? Fear and misery!?!? What a waste of time and energy!
What makes America the greatest country on earth is our ability to adapt. To realize our self-reliance and strength to survive. We do what is necessary and we find solutions. This is why all other countries around the world will always look to the United States to take the first step and cause the chain reaction of events that lead to the safety and security of all.
Although there are hundreds of thousands of people who have contracted the virus, there will be hundreds of thousands who will recover and survive. Sadly, some will die, but that number is miniscule compared to the entire number. There is so much misinformation about the virus that it has caused people to become afraid and panic. We must shift the focus from “everyone is going to die” to “people are surviving”.
Transportation is still running. Store shelves are being refilled. We may be inconvenienced because we cannot go to our favorite restaurant or bar, convene for work or leisure, or vacation in exotic places. Some companies are laying their employees off, but other companies are hiring at record numbers. Financial help is being put into place.
Technology has shown its true value to our lives. It is allowing us to find a treatment and a cure to the virus in record time. It has allowed us to maintain contact with friends and loved ones while staying away to protect their health. It allows us to order food and necessities without leaving the safety of our homes. It gives us the opportunity to stay home but still work with people locally as well as globally. Entertainers are putting on performances and parties to keep people connected.
Companies have stepped up as well. Distilleries that made whiskey yesterday are now making hand sanitizer. Cruise ships are becoming hospitals. Banks and utilities are placing holds on loan payments or disconnections. Car companies are making respirators instead of cars. Retired persons are filling the need for medical responders. Many companies are paying their employees even though they are at home and not working.
More importantly, our President and his administration is handling the crisis with strategic planning and implementation. Using whatever is available to him to bring the private and public sectors together. By bringing people who didn’t talk to each other yesterday together today to solve problems, he is taking the emotional response out of the equation and replacing it with sound judgment.
I am proud to see that American strength and ingenuity will find a resolution to this problem. Moreover, I am proud to see that this pandemic has given us the opportunity to recognize our greater good. To understand that it is far more important to contact our neighbors, our friends and our family to bring them hope. To let them know that someone cares enough to call and to offer help. To take the “all about me” attitude and morph it into “all about us”.
This pandemic is a slap in the face to humanity – not an insult or punishment, but an opportunity. The opportunity to evolve; to recognize the true point of this life. And to go into the future empowered to create a better humanity – a humanity that streamlines our day-to-day life and removes the red tape, cleans out the dust, dirt, and clutter that has accumulated without notice and bogs us down in drudgery. The universe has given us a gift and it is our responsibility to accept it and appreciate it.
Sometimes the darkest days lead to the brightest mornings!