-
The Hartwell Sun
Tough times often bring out the best in people.
We have seen the proof of that in the past couple of weeks as we all try to adapt to a new normal that feels far from it.
People are staying in their homes more, working from home or in many cases not going to work at all. Layoffs, furloughs or a lack of available hours for employees are hitting home. Business owners are feeling the pressure of having to rethink how they do business, and in some cases, of a closure brought on by national, state and local emergency declarations.
These factors will undoubtedly hurt for months and have lasting impacts on economies locally and interntaionally.
Governments are responding by expanding unemployment and other benefits in an effort to fill the gap for out-of-work employees. Congress passed a $2 trillion package meant to put money directly into the pockets of Americans and to create more aid for business both big and small.
Those will be greatly appreciated by many of us who feel helpless thanks to an invisible coronavirus bug that has brought the world to its knees.
But that helplessness and despair can be broken with something as simple as a kind act. We already have seen people giving $100 at a time to local restaurants with requests that the money go to feed people who need it. In some cases, the requests have been to feed those restaurant’s own employees who are out of work because dining rooms are closed.
Local bus drivers have volunteered to carry breakfasts and lunches being offered by the Hart County Charter System to children who have no transportation to get to the elementary schools to pick up their meals.
Folks have offered free help through social media to people with computer issues to help them work from home or access online school assignments. Others have performed live concerts and shows or planned virtual hangouts to try and maintain connections in a new world of social distancing.
We should follow the 6-foot rule as we try to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean we can’t maintain the relationships that make life rich. This unprecedented period offers an opportunity for family meals at the supper table and family game nights. It may the perfect time to learn to pickup a new hobby you’ve been wanting to pursue or finally tackle that project at the house that has been hanging over your head.
None of us knows exactly what to do during this virtual shutdown of the entire country, but it doesn’t have to leave us deflated.
Do something kind for someone else and use this time to better yourself and bring your family closer together.
We are all nervous about the uncertainty of our future, but by coming together, our community will emerge from this stronger and more resilient than ever.