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OBSERVATIONS
March 19, 2020 |
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No toilet paper! Why hoard toilet paper, of all things?
(A Friday the 13th scene in a Smithfield store, courtesy of shopper Susan Lassiter.)
 Wingate Lassiter |
Coronavirus may bring out the best
in us, but so far there's too much panic
The frenzied buying of toilet paper.
The stock market's frightening collapse.
What's wrong with us? When all is said and done, I hope we can look back and say that cooler heads prevailed and we survived the coronavirus crisis with minimal harm done.
And I do believe we'll see good folks stepping up to help the less fortunate in the long days ahead.
But for now, what strikes me most is our collective weakness, our apparent lack of faith that society as a whole can rise to the occasion and shut this virus down.
It also brings to mind a few "big ticket" shortcomings this nation hasn't fixed:
(1) Our failure to join the rest of the civilized world in providing critical health care to each and every person and family without regard to ability to pay.
(2) Our restrictive system of unemployment insurance for the most vulnerable bread winners in our midst.
(3) Our neglect of low-wage workers who do the jobs most of us wouldn't do yet jobs that must be done to hold our fragile society together.
(3) The widespread disdain for government, especially our national government, which is our first line of defense in times of crisis like this.
The Preamble to the United States Constitution clearly states the reasons we have our particular brand of government to begin with --- in part to "insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare...."
That's what our government servants should always strive to do, and it appears they're rising to the occasion just now --- at levels local, state, and national. Be thankful for their work!
And now for some heartening news . . .
It appears that local businesses, providers of food in particular, are stepping up to the proverbial plate with some simple acts of charity and kindness. A couple of examples posted on Facebook pages this week:
Carlie C's IGA supermarket in Smithfield is offering free delivery to nearby customers over age 65 who place online grocery orders over $100.
And a couple of grocery stores have announced hours reserved for their elderly customers who are fearful of aisles crowded with younger folks who could be carriers of the virus.
Sami's Pizza and Pasta in Downtown Smithfield is offering one slice of cheese pizza per day "to any child in need," no questions asked.
If you know of other examples, please let us know, using the e-mail link below....
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