The silver linings of this pandemic
“Adapt! Improvise! Overcome!”
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The vehicles had gathered in the staging area, ready for imminent departure, and filled with personnel uniquely qualified for the mission. In keeping with protocol, movementwasrestricted,andcommunicationwas limited to eye contact. On the “go” signal, each car flipped on its lights and pulled out one-by-one, launching the force that would take the subject by surprise. As an operation of top priority, the motorcade stretched for blocks, with all hands on deck.
Suddenly, radios blared, yelling ensued, and frantic waving commenced. And at that moment, the only thing more contagious than the virus were miles of smiles. For my niece turning
16 - perhaps the most magical birthday in a girl’s life it was pure shock and awe. Up to that point, it had been a day of doldrums, since the pandemic had seemingly stolen that once-in-a-lifetime moment. But after her family had lured Bridget outside, her day was instantly transformed. The line of cars seemed never-ending, as family, friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers who felt compelled to join the festivities, slowly drove by. It was the most human-tohuman contact that could be mustered, so people made the best of it. Horns honked, handmade posters were held high, streamers were thrown, kisses blown, and birthday songs rang out. Truth is, there were as many tears of joy as smiles, because this was something very, very special.
It was a day Bridget will never forget, since a most unexpected pleasure had occurred during this dark time. For the participants, the most enduring memories are the end-toend smile on Bridget’s face, and the satisfaction of doing something proactively at a time when we otherwise felt powerless. Obviously, we all wish things were normal. But since they aren’t, the best we can do is utilize the traits unique to human beings: Creativity, ingenuity, and, most important, humor.
In every conceivable way, the coronavirus pandemichasdisruptedlives.Somehavepaid the ultimate price, while others continue battling COVID-19. The economy has been devastated, jobs have been lost, and close social interaction - from sports to school to backyard barbecues - has been abruptly halted. With no chance of society getting fully back to normal until a vaccine is developed, it is natural for people to become depressed. But not everything is negative. The pioneering spirit of Americans is proving that not only will we beat C19, but that there are many silver linings to be savored.
Let’s set the stage.
In years past, when people had a problem, they’d walk next door to talk things out civilly. Same at work, school, on sports teams, and even in government buildings. But somewhere along the way, all that changed, replaced by an “it’s-all-about-me” attitude.
Until recently, many deemed it acceptable to demonize others while hiding behind social media. And shout obscenities at the motorist who didn’t stomp on the accelerator when the light turned green. And insult someone at the ATM because we were “inconvenienced” by having to wait two minutes. It was commonplace to see adults (and, sadly, their children) butt in front of others at the amusement park, as if doing so was their “right.” Some parents routinely screamed at referees during youth sports games, while others accepted their young children rudely calling teachers and coaches by their first names.
That behavior occurred partly because electronics and social media have destroyed empathy, making humans more “mechanical” than our machines. And partly it was due to air conditioning and back decks, which have kept us totally isolated from our neighbors - unlike the days when everyone in the neighborhood would sit on their front porches. That made for tight knit communities where neighbors were intimately involved in each other’s lives.
But an amazingly wonderful thing has evolved from this pandemic. Human beings have become…human again. We have finally started to jettison the hyper-sensitivity that prevented us from laughing at ourselves - an extremely important point, since you can tell a lot about a society by its sense of humor. The strong ones have the ability to laugh, poke fun, and engage in self-deprecating humor, made possible by an innate confidence, and the ability not to take oneself too seriously. For a while, we had gotten away from those things. But now, the pictures, videos and jokes flying around social media are giving us precisely the medicine we need most: a good laugh. Humor keeps us grounded, gives us perspective, and, most of all, reinforces to our most inner soul that we will, most definitely, prevail.
And it’s not just humor, but creativity, discovery - and yes, rediscovery of things long forgotten - that have boosted our morale and allowed us to get “back to basics.” There have never been so many people walking at parks - with social distancing, of course - and just strolling neighborhoods. Even more encouraging is that entire families are now walking together - and actually talking. For the most part, cell phones aren’t part of that routine. Instead, people are chatting with neighbors and strangers alike, swapping war stories and funny anecdotes, and offering assistance. If one had predicted this three months ago, he would have been laughed out of the room.
But it gets better.
From things seen on TV to stories that people have relayed to this author, there are countless examples of America growing stronger - together. Here are just a few:
Beth Fitt writes that earlier this week, her young daughter declared that the family would be having a formal tea party. The child went to her “printshop” and created invitations, a menu, and name tags. The family made an entire smorgasbord of treats from scratch, including homemade ice cream (who knew?) and cookies. Everyone attended in “formal dress,” and they even used their great grandmother’s china. Later, they pitched a tent in the basement and told ghost stories.
That’s truly what “family” is all about.
In another neighborhood, both children and adults are using chalk to write uplifting quotes and daily inspirational messages such as “hope,” “faith,” and “perseverance” on neighbors’ sidewalks and driveways.
Some communities hid Easter eggs in every neighbor’s yard. In coordinating who went where, and when (to abide by social distancing), they gave children the largest, most unbelievable Easter Egg hunt of their lives.
Reader Greg detailed how he and his adult children, who are locked down together, engaged in a “world pub crawl.” Before isolating, they bought a wide range of international beers, and adorned rooms with décor representing those countries. From Guinness (Ireland) to Becks (Germany), and from Fosters (Australia) to - of course - Corona (Mexico), they had an incredible time “studying”thecultureofthosenations…while enjoying their famous libations.
A dad in England built a mini ski slope in his backyard - complete with “chair lift” - for his young daughters. No real snow, of course, but that didn’t stop them from having a blast.
People are using long “pool noodles” attached to helmets or their bodies to enforce social distancing, with some even attaching noodles to their dogs. It is hilarious and creative - and best of all, it works.
Elderly neighbors are being checked on more than ever before - a welcome return of civility and compassion. And in many communities, anyone going to the store asks neighbors if they need anything. Not only is that helpful, but much safer, as only one person is venturing outside.
Perhaps most heartwarming, 93-year old Pennsylvania resident Olive Veronesi was photographed at her door with a can of Coors Light and the sign “I need more beer.” Well, Coors delivered, sending Ms. Veronesi ten 15-packs of her favorite brew. It doesn’t get any better than that. Cheers, Ms. Veronesi!
These are undoubtedly the strangest times of our lives, but behaviors are changing for the better. Hard to say whether they will stay that way, but this much is certain: that transformation can only begin one conversation at a time. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
Godspeed.