It’s up to us to make this a better year

As 2020 dawned, it should have been clear to anyone paying the slightest attention to the news that it was going to be an unusually difficult year. But none of us had any idea just how bad 2020 would turn out to be.

The focus should be on effective governance and bipartisan cooperation on issues that demand attention.

It may seem as if far more time has passed, but just 12 months ago America was dealing with impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, further inflaming partisan tensions. There was no doubt that we were about to face as bitterly contested a presidential election as any in living memory, perhaps even more so.

Those fears did come to pass, but political conflict turned out to be just one in a series of developments rocking our nation.

At this time a year ago, health authorities were just starting to come to grips with a coronavirus spreading in Wuhan, China. Of course by March that virus was wreaking havoc on every aspect of life here and all over the world, and it hasn’t stopped.

First and foremost, COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on public health. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died of the disease, part of a staggering worldwide death toll of more than 1.7 million. Tens of millions of people have been infected.

The pandemic also has wrought tremendous economic and psychological damage. Restrictions on public gatherings to stem the spread of the coronavirus have led to job loss, business closures and general misery.

People are unable to see dying loved ones in person. Gatherings of family and friends are being discouraged, and holiday and personal celebrations muted. Schools were closed for months, and many students and teachers have had to adjust to virtual methods of delivering education. They’ve done admirably well, but there’s no replacement for in-person learning.

In the midst of all this, the death of Minnesota man George Floyd at the hands of police unleashed a furious response all over the nation in the spring and summer, further adding to the tension and unease.

And COVID-19 complicated the election as states worked to make it easier for people to vote by mail rather than gather at polling places. Disputes over how that went still haven’t been settled nearly two months after the polls closed.

The impact of all these things is still being felt as we enter 2021, but there are signs of hope. Most notably, the remarkably speedy arrival of vaccines gives us reason to believe that some degree of normalcy may return by the middle of the year.

But it would be a mistake to act as if widespread vaccine distribution is the only thing that will make 2021 better than 2020. It’s still up to each of us to do our part right now to move things in a better direction.

That begins with continuing to follow public health advice to keep the virus from spreading, and taking advantage of the opportunity to get the vaccine when it’s presented.

Beyond that, we need to take a step back from our polarized positions and focus on reconnecting with our fellow men and women. One of the most frustrating aspects of the pandemic has been that a moment that demanded unity has only worsened our divisions. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, let us recall the spirit of togetherness that marked that incredibly challenging time and try to restore it.

There will be plenty of time down the road to contest the 2022 and 2024 elections. The focus this year should be on effective governance and bipartisan cooperation on issues that demand immediate attention. That may seem difficult, but it can happen if people demand it.

America faces too many challenges from the pandemic and our international rivals to allow internal divisions to distract us from responding effectively. Disagreement is inevitable, but it does not have to devolve into something resembling civil war.

Let’s all do our part to make this a happy new year in our communities, state, nation and world.

We sure could use one.