COVID-19 in review

Around the world, families have stayed put through the end of winter and beginning of spring. As social isolation ends, the time comes to consider what we will remember once the gates re-open and folks shop, work and play wherever they wish. Without the nanny government reminding us, will we choose to wear masks, wash our hands, cough into our elbows – and quit hoarding toilet paper?

Reading through the Facebook postings and news paper reports, I have been struck with the impact on families for both good and evil. For many working families, the time at home has provided extended time at home with children. No demands from the office have pulled parents and children out of bed early in the morning. No after school or work meetings have kept them apart so that supper is a hit and miss affair. The last several weeks, many families have lived a month of Saturdays. Parents have endured and enjoyed a lengthy period of time as their children’s teacher, playmate, supervisor and lunch line lady.

I have read parents’ Facebook posts saying, “I have enjoyed it, even with the whining, sassing and moments of disobedience, along with shared laughter, TV shows, crafts and cooking.” Perhaps they will re-evaluate the importance of previous routines of endless sports, clubs, dance and karate.

This Great Pause reminds me of the blizzard of 1977 in Indiana. For a week we could not go anywhere. We waited for snow plows to clear the roads and enjoyed a peaceful week at home with no TV. (We chose to raise our children in a TVfree home.) We played games, cleaned corners of the house, played in the snow, read books, baked and ate more than one meal a day together. As we waited for plows, the silence blessed us with peace. Years ago, I wrote about that week. A reader who experienced the same blizzard commented, “I do not remember it being fun at all.” I do not know their story. I do know that the recent shut down of businesses across nation harmed families financially and physically. Some permanently.

For some families, the “Stay At Home” order has meant no relief from an abusive family member. Employees with the Department of Human Services cannot stay home. They have to intervene.

For too many, closing the doors of businesses has meant no income and lengthy waits to even register online for unemployment. Sure rent, house payments and car payments might be forgiven or delayed. Feeding children could not. The lines at food distribution centers have snaked around parking lots. Volunteers at the distribution hope and pray they have enough for everyone who comes. Schools have kept the bus drivers employed delivering food each school day. Around 10 and 11 every morning a yellow school bus passes my house, taking food to students who need it. At the local schools, signs line the streets reminding folks that lunches will be distributed each day around noon to any student who comes.

Time and again, I read on Facebook of families using the time to clear the clutter in their homes. While not all thrift stores have remained open, those with open doors have been overwhelmed with donations. When we took our car load of unwanted items searching for an open store, I was happy to hear the Goodwill staff say, “drive up to the back door, and we will take it.”

With clean houses, a long rest and the summer vacation coming, I pray folks remember the long period of silence in the land. I hope they choose to wear a mask, cough into their elbows and not hoard the toilet paper again.