Mistakes (and gratitude) can be our greatest teachers
Milestones are important. They offer perspective, contrast and opportunities for reflection, course adjustments and a chance to catch our collective breath. In this crazy, chaotic, confused world, we rarely study the wake off our stern, see where we have come from and determine if we are on the right course to get where we want to be. And we rarely find the chance to offer proper thanks for the blessings we share, the lessons we learn and the challenges that teach us how to do things better.
Consider the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, or COVID-19. According to the Chinese government, the first documented case of COVID-19 can be traced to a 55-year-old man in the Hubei Province on Nov. 17, 2019. The rest of it, as people like to say, is history — we all know that it spread like wildfire across that region of China, jumped ship and quickly infected millions of people across the world, 51 million cases at last count, tragically resulting in 1.3 million deaths. In the United States alone, 10 million members of our families and communities have been stricken; 240,000 have died, and the disease is spreading again at a phenomenal rate of more than 120,000 new cases daily.
I say “again” because, while we have made enormous strides in understanding and treating this disease and in the ongoing development of a preventive vaccine, our failure, as a nation, to take the necessary precautions has fanned the flames of this pandemic’s second wave. While truly tragic, our greatest triumphs often emerge from costly lessons. And, as in any battle waged, it is necessary to acknowledge important incremental steps — milestones and successes — that bear notice.
Here in Connecticut, our state leaders and public health officials, with Gov. Ned Lamont at the helm, have responded courageously and consistently, providing warnings, guidance and support as each of us — individuals, communities and organizations alike — deal with this insidious disease. And in Fairfield and Bridgeport, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick, Mayor Joseph Ganim and local health officials and department representatives have worked tirelessly to help stem the spread and to provide direction so that our economy, our public schools, universities and essential services remain open. We have relied on them heavily.
Through that coordination and collaboration, along with compliance with their recommendations, we have managed to keep our doors at Sacred Heart University open, supporting our mission to help educate, train and develop the next generation of leaders, professionals and service pro
By and large, our students did what was asked of them. There have been a few bumps in the road, but we have navigated each curve, strengthened our procedures, readjusted and learned how to deal with this outbreak effectively.
viders. We are accomplishing this with a laser-sharp focus on safety, health care, communication and compliance — making adjustments as needed to protect the physical and mental health of our community.
Far from perfect, we, like everyone else, have experienced illness within our ranks from this highly contagious virus. In each case, we responded swiftly and compassionately, limiting exposure, testing aggressively, ensuring proper isolation during recovery and providing full access to superior health services, contact tracing and timely updates.
By and large, our students did what was asked of them. There have been a few bumps in the road, but we have navigated each curve, strengthened our procedures, readjusted and learned how to deal with this outbreak effectively.
We soon commemorate our first pandemic Thanksgiving — another milestone. We give thanks for everyone in our lives, as well as for the scientists rushing to produce a vaccine, for the health-care professionals putting themselves at risk daily and for the front-line workers, service providers, civil servants and leaders who are helping us through this public health crisis.
Hopefully, by this time next year, we all will be able to share the holidays in person with friends and family as we have in the past. But much hard work remains — we, as an organization, community and state are still in the thick of things.
No matter the challenges, we are not defeated. If anything, we are encouraged, optimistic, hopeful. We know we can resist, adapt, improve and, in time, defeat this virus. By placing gratitude ahead of fear, all hands in, we grow and thrive.