Many leave pandemic woods as others face long walk

Pardon this interruption of euphoria — COVID-19 remains Public Enemy Numero Uno, especially in the Hispanic community.

Yes, with high vaccination numbers in the suburbs, middle class and upper-crusted residents should feel optimistic as their lives move forward.

Urban, rural and poor communities? Not so much. Personally, still waiting for a second dose of Moderna after NJ Department of Health officials made a ginormous mistake in scheduling the follow-up vaccine. Expect a law suit filed posthumously should the Big C take my last breath before an administered vaccine.

No, COVID-19 did not offer much instruction about the sweetness and precarious nature of life. Had that lesson decades back when the Grim Reaper collected our mother Ella Melba

Parker.

The coronavirus delivered expected results and insights — exposing a U.S. nation saturated by inequities of access to health care, education, technology and people lacking a safety net that catches the disenfranchised.

In April 2020, hundreds lined up for a free farm market at The College of New Jersey sponsored by Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, Farmers Against Hunger, the Dairy Farmers of America, Shadybrook Farm, Fulper Family Farmstead, Stark & Stark, and Solebury Orchards.

Cars queued for more than a mile as middle-class Americans, most of them Caucasian, waited hours for free dairy products, vegetables and other food stuffs.

The year of COVID-19 played like that scene from World War Z as zombies climbed over each other to breach a Jerusalem wall.

Almost every woman, child and man learned the fine art of self, ego, me and mine during challenging times. These interests gained magnification when vaccines arrived as people jumped the line and utilized any means necessary for advantage.

Plus, our nation underscored the power of fear as anti-Asian sentiments produced hate and acrimony toward undeserving victims.

Adversity delivered our worst behaviors while many traded faith for fear.

On April 15, Asbury Park hosts a sale of beach badges for the Summer of 2021. Expect a sellout as New Jersey residents return to sandy shores with optimism and hope for a return to less challenging times.

No matter. What ever lives we knew will never be the same. Many may escape these dark times but we will never leave the shadow of these woods.