After the shock, fear, and dust had settled following 9/11, this nation, The United States of America, noticeably slipped into a state of caring. People paid tribute after tribute to first responders. Congress established a compensation fund to care for those who have grown ill from the toxins of ground zero. Do you remember?
Almost from the time the first plane hit the twin towers until passengers brought down Flight 93 in a Pennsylvania field, Americans were united first in fear, then disbelief, then in dedication to a cause. Do you remember?
People stopped to chat with neighbors with whom they had only a nodding acquaintance in the past. Shoppers genially waited in line. We spoke civilly to each other and clerks. Phone conversations were more cordial. Friends stop to make time for each other. Do you remember?
Most everyone wore an American flag pin or some combination of red, white and blue. We were Americans. Not Red States and Blue States. Not Liberal and Conservative. Sports rivalries were friendly; no cheating. We were one nation, under God, indivisible. Do you remember?
Of course, we had our differences, that’s a vital part of being an American. But we were civil one to another. We saw differences as just that - differences. Not right and wrong. Not good and evil. Not a time for oneupmanship. Do you remember?
While 9/11 happened suddenly to Americans and a return to civility immediately followed, the shift back to “Me First” was gradual. We can’t date a point in time when we went from caring about others to doubling down on “What’s mine is mine!” Do you remember?
Gradually, with the help of anonymity through social media and marvelous technology, we sunk back into our baser selves. We typed the first vile thoughts to enter our mind. Hurt someone, who cares? We made fun of others. Somehow we thought cruelty made us superior. Do you remember?
Today, we face another insidious enemy - Covid -19 - which has taken a terrible toll of lives, not only of Americans, but also globally. And while we want “someone,” anyone to blame, this villain doesn’t have a face. It runs rampant wherever it can.
Most Americans realize that we are all in this together. We know the disease has affected everyone’s livelihood. Politicians struggle to compromise, once an easier chore for them. Some try to spread rumors and lies through social media. What should be a friend can be an enemy in times like these.
Once again, Americans have shown a generous spirit. For many of us, we want to do more, but we accept that the best way we can help is to isolate ourselves, to stay home to help prevent the disease from spreading. I am reminded of a situation from my childhood. Whenever I wanted to help as a young child, my mother always said, “The best way you can help is by staying out of the way.” Then she would suggest that I read a book. So, it was no surprise to anyone, but my mother, that when the Sunday School Class teacher asked how we helped around the house, I, four years old, announced proudly, “I help best by staying out of the way.” That’s how many of us, seniors especially, help.
Once again, we see a solidarity among Americans. We are in this battle for life together. Oh yes, we’ve seen the televised fights over limited items between people in stores. It’s been a long time since we’ve done without specific items. But we’ve seen far more images of family spending quality time together, embracing a simpler life.
We’ve been grateful for news media to keep us informed. We’ve been grateful for Internet which allows us to stay in communication with loved ones from a distance.
As the medical and scientific community gradually bring this enemy under control with proper medicine and vaccines so that we once again feel secure in moving about, will we slip back into our old selfish ways like comfortable slippers? Or, will we learn that we are all better off when we work together, compromise, think before we speak, and express gratitude to those who have given so much, including their lives, in this global pandemic battle. Coronavirus was not our choice, but how we respond to its aftermath is.
2020
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