Dear Editor,
As we struggle with the inconveniences of this Covid-19 pandemic, now would be a good time to reflect and be thankful. Yes, in the midst of it all, we should be filled with gratitude for living in a nation that is strong enough and wealthy enough to address the issue at all. There are many small and impoverished nations on this earth that simply do not have the means to offer any treatment for the sick and dying, other than sympathy and prayer and minor pain relievers.
If you can, for a moment, look away from the constant bickering, name calling and accusations, then take a close look at what has been accomplished in this time of stress and fear in America.
Our nation has been mobilized like never before, excepting the times of world-wide warfare. Practically all government entities and agencies have come together with a strength of purpose that is awe inspiring. From the federal level and downward and outward through States and Counties and Municipalities the battle rages for the health of America’s citizens.
Sure, the differences of opinions and the bickering over procedures and methodologies continue daily. But, if you look beyond the turmoil and hurt feelings and anger, there is hope and there is progress. Granted, that progress may seem minimal but look at the scope of this situation. Ours is one of the largest nations in the world, with one of the most diverse sets of conditions to be reckoned with. The physical distances alone are staggering. The astounding variations in population density from place to place and the difficulties of access to those places have to be calculated in the early planning stages and accommodated with a great deal of finesse if meaningful measures are to be taken.
The self-isolation, the social distancing, and the stay-at-home orders are an inconvenience and the shut-down of businesses and the associated dis-employment of so many wage earners is having a terrible impact on many unfortunate people, but would you have done it any differently or any better if the task had been yours?
People far wiser than I could ever hope to be have been saddled with his burden and the demand placed on them is “get it done and over with and get it done quickly and correctly and while you are at it, you have millions of sick or frightened and angry people watching your every move”.
Just imagine the thousands of hospitals that had to be made ready and the millions of health care professionals that had to be quickly and properly educated to treat just this one nasty virus. Then there is the supply pipeline that had to be created and filled with medications that are hoped will be effective. Now add the staggering costs and the fact that the only source for the monies to fund all this is only us….we taxpayers. It is difficult even to imagine being burdened with such a gargantuan task.
Now take a close look at all the true heroes who are making themselves available to all of us during this crisis. Look at the Doctors, Nurses, and First Responders, the Firemen, the Police Officers, the Ambulance Attendants and the Emergency Medical Technicians and don’t forget the National Guard men and women, all of whom have families and loved ones at home that they have to worry about while they are tending to your needs and mine.
Next, take a good look at the long haul Truck Drivers and all of the myriad local delivery Men and Women who are still out there moving the goods that we all want and need in our daily existence. They too, have families and loved ones at home while they are out and about doing the work that keeps our country running. While those stalwarts are accomplishing their tasks, I can sit here on my comfortable chair, drinking my coffee and enjoying my pastry, all three of which came by train, truck or local delivery van. For those simple privileges, I am greatly thankful.
Then, let us not forget the folks who keep the trains rolling across our country. The Railroad Engineers, Conductors, Brakemen and Section Crews, Mechanics and Technicians, all of whom serve our needs while we relax at home.
We, as Americans, are fortunate indeed to have such a wealth of resources supporting almost every facet of our society every day. Most of us don’t even realize the immense network of support systems and services that are an invisible but indispensable part of our routine lives.
It is difficult to properly express the sense of relief and comfort I enjoy and the depth of gratitude I feel each day I wake to find that I and my loved ones are alive and healthy because I was privileged to be born in this wonderful country rather than one of the less fortunate ones.
I am profoundly grateful.
Jack Hommel
Golden Valley
