The Best of Humanity

It feels like a movie doesn’t it? Once bustling cities are now ghost towns. Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and ammo are all off the shelves. Zooming has become a verb. Previous friendly neighborhood conversations at the mailbox are now replaced by awkward hellos at a distance of 6 feet. 

A few weeks ago, we saw the largest point drop in the history of the stock market. Businesses have had to close their doors due to state mandates to stay home; with many of those small businesses most likely being forced to close for good. Layoffs are intensifying in restaurants, bars, hotels, retailers, and more. A record 3.3 million Americans filed unemployment claims last week alone. Thousands have been infected with Covid-19 and over 1000 have succumb to the virus. 

Suffering. 

Loss.

Uncertainty.

It feels like a Greek Tragedy. Or maybe it feels more like the movie Departed; where everyone loses and nobody really wins. I personally have felt a wave of emotions these past few weeks. I am anxious about the economy and my ability to provide for my family. I am scared that my parents and grandparents will contract the virus. I am saddened to see so many of my friends lose their jobs. I am heartbroken that many people aren’t able to say goodbye to their loved ones. I feel helpless as my own relatives are in the hospital with Covid-19 and are rapidly deteriorating. And frankly I’m pissed off at our politicians in DC and their actions.

TANGENT ALERT: While Politicians in DC argue whether to give millions to National Endowment of the Arts, NOAA, and Bureau of Reclamation; and add line items in a COVID Response bill (that is supposed to help Americans who have been affected by this) like increased fuel emission standards, required carbon offsets for airlines, increased collective bargaining power for unions, the cancellation of all the debt owed by the U.S. Postal Service to the U.S. Treasury - my friends, and millions of others are out of work, are suffering, and are in need.

But despite the dire headlines of the news; in spite of the realities of how close this virus has hit home for me, and regardless of the reprehensible politicizing and porking of aid by the Swamp; I am still hopeful. 

Hopeful because in this season of need and tragedy, I have seen the best in people. I have seen neighbor helping neighbor. I have seen bills getting paid by strangers. I have seen health care workers pushing past exhaustion and continue to give world class care. I have seen food being purchased and delivered at no cost to families in need. I have seen organizations and businesses pivoting in how they help with the COVID response (like a Stand UP Paddle manufacturer now making masks for healthcare workers). And there are countless other stories of individuals and companies stepping up and meeting the needs of others. Because of this I am encouraged and inspired . And I can’t help but believe that this is how it should be.

Community being Community. 

We have been, are, and will be each others best hope at meeting the needs of people in our own communities. The government should never be the sole answer. We have the responsibility to do our part and help where we can. And in moments in history when the veil of comfortability and indifference get stripped away via disaster or disease; we have an opportunity to be the change and the help that our community needs.

But how do we do this? How do we continue to support those most in need during this unprecedented time?

So many people right now, because of job loss and the economy weakening; simply need things like money for grocery bills, gas for cars, the covering of utility bills, etc. But it can be difficult to find ways to ask for help. At the same time, it can be daunting to figure out how to help people. So what can we do?

One place to start, is to check in on your elderly family, friends, and neighbors. What a great privilege it is to connect with the Greatest Generation, a generation that has seen its fair share of difficult and turbulent times. Be a listening ear to your family, say hi to the neighbor that you have never met, go on a grocery run for a friend who is at risk, or just be an encouragement to your community during these uncertain times. People are resilient, but everyone needs help, support, and encouragement; especially in times like these. I have seen it firsthand and I can virtually guarantee you it will be greatly appreciated.

But what if you want to do more?

One of the best things I have seen organizations do is be the platform that connects individual's needs with people who can meet those specific needs. I have seen this often anonymous and yet incredibly kind gesture change a person's life with the gift of money, food, gas, clothing, etc. I would recommend partnering with churches, ministries, non-profits, and other organizations that are setup to do this very thing. I am thinking of organizations like Summit Initiative, Reach Church, and various others that are fostering community based support by pairing those that have a need with those that can meet a need.

In the end, we all need to do our part to ensure that our families, neighbors, and community are supported and are taken care of. We can all do more. We have a responsibility to make sure our community is supported and able to survive through this. If we do , then even amidst this pandemic, I believe that the best of humanity will be on display. 

p.s. Often times people have a difficult time asking for help, so you might need to nominate someone in need on their behalf. Organizations like the ones above are setup to keep anonymity but meet the need.