Closing again? What may be the effect?
As closures reoccur are you as concerned as me about the effect of this continuing “back and forth” on the American middle class and small business owners? When this happened in the spring I felt it was unfair. Don’t small businesses carry the same merchandise as Walmart and Target (except food)? Wouldn’t they have been careful to require masks and social distancing.
Small business owners with fewer than 250 employees are about to go under all over the world. In the U.S. 66,000 businesses have already closed with 110,000 more on the brink. Worldwide these small businesses account for two-thirds of employment. What are we doing to the person who worked hard to save in order to open a business only to see it evaporate because of closures?
What about gyms who worked hard to obey? Or pools? Mine is shut down because the directors are afraid of lawsuits if someone gets COVID-19. Yet, alcohol and marijuana stores are essential but not churches (I assume that includes temples, mosques, and synagogues) even if they take every precaution.
Hard to believe we’re living in such historic times.
This new wave has been blamed on large family gatherings, social gatherings especially among the young, and opening of bars (that one I understand) but nothing has been said about the protesters. Hmmm ... Wonder why?
Many thanks to those of you who read this column. It was especially exciting for my granddaughter when you told her. And I receive great emails — always appreciated.
Radhika Rao, who was born in India and now is a U.S. citizen, sent these excellent comments:
“Truly sad what is happening in the country today. Peaceful protests have a definite place in society but not destruction! I say if one cannot be constructive, at least do not be destructive . ... One’s moral values start at home from the time a baby comes from the hospital and it starts with the parents. We all should know the difference between right and wrong. Unjust things happen here and everywhere and we know it is not right and should not be tolerated. Changes can occur only through non-violence like Mahatma Gandhi did in India and Martin Luther King Jr. who was a follower of Gandhi. No matter what, we all have to be kind to each other and help out when we can, whether one is gray, green or purple, I have been to 70-plus countries and USA is a great nation with great opportunities for all through education. I agree, in any field/profession there are a few that are unethical people who do not follow rules. However, one cannot blame everyone in that profession.”
What Rad wrote echoes much being said today. And it seems to be repeated in stronger terms as people remain isolated. They long for a return to the normal but realize that probably won’t happen again. They both sympathize with the protestors and are upset that a complete revision of our history is about to take place. Don’t we agree all of us are human and will make mistakes? A favorite comment from Jesus is, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Recent comments reflect this.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, mayor of Atlanta, after a 75 person shooting spree with five killed, sent out a plea to her community. She said there were far too many shootings in the community including the death of an 8-year-old girl. She feels her community has to be responsible for their actions in order to have respect by others.
Mary Maaga, new pastor at Galt United Methodist Church, reminded the listening (internet) congregation in a sermon that if we want our problems solved then the first thing we must do, no matter how small the item, is “take everything to the Lord in prayer.” When we do that we can be reminded of the mental, emotional and spiritual gifts we will receive in return. We can help to bring positive change through our simple prayer because Jesus listens to every prayer no matter how small.
Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, said, “Let us unite to create a society that values hope over hate, faith over fear and compassion over confrontation.”
Taking responsibility for yourself — what a unique idea! Let’s teach our children that responsibility as we demonstrate it in our lives. Let’s have our youth understand this concept instead of being so afraid of life they try to find safe places to hide. We’ve been given a new opportunity with this pandemic — may it be done responsibly.