I have heard and seen information recently that indicates that the percentage of people who have died from this pandemic isn’t that high and not really a problem. Or that it is less than those who die of the flu. Or that the numbers are stated without much thought to them.
While statistically the low percentages may be true, each number is a person who has passed away. Let’s please not forget that. Sadly, I think we do or it doesn’t register that a loss of human life is what that means.
I have to say that making such light of this has been bothering me for a while. Another comment that has bothered me is — it is what it is. Sorry, but to me that just isn’t good enough. We can and should be doing better; much better.
Each of those people have loved ones who are grieving and whose lives will never be the same. Each of those people touched others throughout their lives. And sadly, many of them may not have had a chance to say goodbye.
I truly feel for the loved ones who didn’t have that chance. I was fortunate to have had that chance when my husband passed away unexpectedly. I cannot imagine the current way of things.
For those of us who have lost loved ones, we know the pain of loss. We know that the loss is real and has to be dealt with each day. We know how much it hurts and wouldn’t wish that feeling on anyone.
We are now at more than 160,000 deaths in the United States. That is a staggering number to me, but yet it just doesn’t seem to register with a lot of people. That number is more than the population of my hometown. It is more than packs Neyland Stadium on a day of college football, at least pre-pandemic.
Please remember that behind the numbers there are actual people. There are families who are reeling from loss and will have to rebuild. There are people who are suffering and trying to make sense of the loss. There are also health workers who did all they could but it still wasn’t enough.
Let’s do what we can to take care of each other. Let’s do better for ourselves, our families, our children, our communities, and our loved ones. Let’s please do what we can to stop the spreading of this damn virus.
My family will wear our masks, stay home when we can, be cautious and careful when we are out, and practice social distancing. It is not fun and often inconvenient. But to me, it is worth it if it will help us stay healthy and help those we love stay healthy as well.
I Still Wonder... 