The Coronavirus Pandemic - and what Americans are made of

I read an article  that discussed how the Coronavirus will show what Americans are made of. I immediately thought of a video in the news earlier today showing two customers fighting over toilet paper in a Sam's store. Another video showed lines of shoppers winding around a Costco and up and down lanes in the parking lot. People were waiting for hours in that line in order to get inside the store for a chance to buy bulk items they were convinced they needed immediately. Another news item was about two men who last week (before the panic) bought cases and cases of hand-sanitizer, toilet paper, and disinfecting wipes and were now trying to re-sell them for many times what they paid for them. Yet another story told of an elderly gentlemen with tears in his eyes as he went from store to store to find toilet paper because he was down to his last roll, but each store he checked was sold out.

Folks, we are Americans!  We are better than that! Our fathers and mothers - and the generations before them - battled far worse battles than the Coronavirus to give us this land of opportunity. We have enormous luxuries that the generations before us never dreamed of.  Yes, we are spoiled with our bounty, but we are not ruined or doomed!

Do we want to be those panic-stricken, reactionary hoarders slugging their neighbors over a roll of toilet paper or trying to gouge their fellow citizens with over-priced hoarded goods, or do we want to be the generous, hard-working, freedom-loving, and wildly diverse people that come together for a common goal? 

Will we spend the next weeks and months playing political gotcha games and spewing our criticism, anger, and frustration on social media, or will we stand up, realize we are all in this together - even if we vehemently disagree about political and social issues - and work with each other to minimize this pandemic as much as possible?

Yes, it sucks that things are shut down, our trips have been cancelled, our sporting events have been postponed, schools are closed. People are sick, and maybe we are sick. People are losing jobs, money, businesses, and people are losing their lives. We don't know what's going to happen. Yes, our lives have been turned upside down in the matter of only a few days. It's a tough time. It's in tough times, though, that we show what we're made of. The hard times are when our true character shows through.

Instead of panicking and hoarding, think about what you can do during the coming weeks and months. Accept that you'll have limitations for awhile. Figure out how you will live and work within those limitations. Americans are smart people - we can make it through without going off the deep end.

Make a plan for yourself and your family: Maintain your health. Take a daily walk - or two - even if it's inside your home. However, if you can, get outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Since many restaurants are closed, learn new recipes and try them out. Plant a garden. Be mindful. Take in the extra quietness of this time. Learn a new skill. Help others and check on elderly neighbors while maintaining social distance. Paint, practice playing the piano, love your family, mow the lawn, read a book, call a neighbor that lives alone or send them a note or card. Read the Bible, keep a journal of what you experience during this pandemic, catch up on some Netflix shows, call a local pastor to find out who in your neighborhood might need a meal prepared or some yard work done. Order groceries online - and only order the things you truly need. Be creative. Each of us lives in different circumstances. Do what is worthwhile and helpful in your particular circumstance. If you start feeling ill, follow the guidelines of the Coronavirus Task Force. Maintain social distance.
There will be many people who need help because the shut downs impact their lives in a major way. For many it is much more than an inconvenience. It may challenge their livelihood and their very lives. Look around at what your neighbors need. Can you help them? Remember that the best prescription for feeling sorry for yourself is to get involved in helping others. Years ago, Fred Rogers talked about how to handle scary times. He told us to look for the helpers. Anybody can yell and panic and play the blame game. It takes special people to roll up their sleeves and start making the situation better. Americans are special people.

We have a national challenge facing us. We are all Americans, and we need to clearly show the world and ourselves what we're made of.

The news is full of the panic - the hoarders - the gougers. If you have a story of the goodness of Americans during this challenging time, please share it.