Commentary: United in 9/11 but fractured during the pandemic.
As COVID-19 surges once again, I look on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with a different set of eyes. As one of the San Antonio families directly affected by the events of 9/11, I again find myself asking what it is to be an American.
The pain of who and what we lost that day echo far beyond the confines of that one tragedy. My sister, Dora Marie Menchaca, a research scientist with a PH.D in epidemiology, died at the Pentagon aboard American Airlines Flight 77.
Now, I find myself wondering what impact she would have had on this pandemic, our family and the community if she were still with us. If all of the victims were still with us.
When we lost my sister, the outpouring of sympathy sustained us. America came together as one to help those who had suffered a great loss, to help pick up the pieces and get this country back on its feet.
Ironically, the last show I attended, in February 2020, was the Broadway musical “Come From Away,” about the small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland, whose 10,000 residents opened their community and hearts to 6,000 passengers whose planes were diverted on 9/11. I cried throughout the entire performance. I just wanted to publicly thank them for all of their kindness.
As for our current situation — the surge in COVID-19 — I’ve experienced a far different response to a national, and global,
event.
At the post office, a woman made sure to point out to those of us wearing masks that our governor said we didn’t have to wear them anymore. She then quickly ran out the door.
Unless you know a person’s story, it’s best not to make any assumptions. Just be respectful.
Then there was the time we had to let someone inside our home for a service call. The technician entered without a mask. Granted, he did not know our story.
When I asked him to put on a mask, he replied that he was fully vaccinated. I told him that we were, too, but to please put one
on anyway. As the “Stand Your Ground” law ran through my mind, and the thought of grabbing and tossing him out the door flashed in my head, I could not believe he was actually picking a fight with a gray-haired lady. And, in front of my own mother, no less. Finally, he left to retrieve a mask.
The company returned my call with an apology. But what of the other homes the technician visited before and after that day. What was their story?
With many in our Hispanic community living in multigenerational households, it’s imperative that we have our children mask up, especially if they ever
hope to go back to in-person learning . They can do it — they’re smart, especially fifth graders. Our abuelos and abuelitas (and our school staff ) deserve nothing less. If our kids are not yet eligible to get this particular vaccine, then it’s up to us as adults to get fully vaccinated. And to mask up as well. For all of them.
In the United States, we have lost more than 650,000 people to this pandemic. But what we’ve lost in terms of their impact on our lives is immeasurable.
We cannot ask our health care workers to continue to go through this anguish. They have been stepping up and dealing with this unprecedented situation long enough. Please listen to them.
I’ve taken three COVID-19 tests and received three vaccine doses. Each time, I could not have felt more patriotic. Because I’m doing my part to give back for all the promises of hope that have ever been extended to us.
Before I got vaccinated, I was not able to attend six funerals due to COVID-19 safety concerns. Who else has lost a sister-in-law, an uncle, a friend, a mentor (or two) or the love of one’s life? (“Mi struggo e mi tormento!”) Only three weeks ago, we lost a beloved aunt who always answered my calls with “How’s my baby?” Sitting in the chapel, physically distanced and yet completely enveloped by love, I was reminded why we need these rituals.
I’m thankful to my brother-inlaw for raising two kind and thoughtful children, with my great-niece and -nephew carrying on the love.
The America I know is extraordinary. When volunteers are needed, we show up. That’s the America I know: An America that steps up.
We can all contribute and help this country get back on its feet. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again.
I know this because this is just one of many stories.