Regina’s Reflections
By Regina McNamara
The World is Upturned, Destabilized, Confusing and Hurtful.
IS THERE A PATH TO HOPE??
It is time to take a step back and review the year 2020, one of the most challenging in our nation, and also one of the most divisive in our history.
- The pandemic management and forecasting have been uneven, difficult to understand by the average lay person and conflicting, depending on information sources.
- 21 million Americans are unemployed, but the weekly jobless claims report stated 30 million are claiming continuing unemployment benefits. Data is confusing and misleading
- The pandemic management and forecasting have been uneven, difficult to understand by the average lay person and conflicting depending on information sources.
- We all require/demand accurate numbers. Incorrect and inaccurate data reporting can confound, provoke unwarranted levels of fear, and either discourage or provide reason for optimism
- Americans of all ages and races tend to be fiercely independent. Yet when mask wearing is required, there is remarkable compliance.
- Irony alert: Nationwide protests as a result of a horrendous killing of a black man by police, which occurred 8 weeks ago, still continues. To date, 21 people have died during protests, and an enormous number of minority family owned businesses were permanently destroyed. Some had only recently received PPP loans, a federal program to assist small businesses hurt by the pandemic. As small business owners, we are indescribably saddened by this. For the business owners, their families, and their shattered dreams.
- With schools closed, parents needed to assist their children with on line learning. Many faltered. Teachers have never been more appreciated. But left behind are lower income children with little access to Wi-Fi or devices. And more food insecurity due to the absence of school breakfasts and lunches. Low income children were hurt the most by school closings. We frequently hear from politicians on both sides about the importance of a good education as a path to future success for all young people. But it is essential that low income children are provided with better schools and committed teachers in order to achieve their future success, often overcoming endless obstacles.
- For the first time in the history of Unemployment benefits, over two thirds of people receiving them earn MORE for NOT WORKING than they earned as employees.
- The national bill for pandemic assistance is about to reach over $6 Trillion. This is not the legacy we should leave for our children and grandchildren.
- The pandemic has been devastating for those who lost loved ones, especially the huge numbers of seniors who comprise the majority of those lives lost.
- In the midst of this, the economy has been nearly destroyed.
BUT, WITH ALL OUR FAULTS, WE ARE A RESILIENT PEOPLE.
Here are a few ideas:
- Open the schools. Take precautions, allow teachers over 65 to retire if they choose due to risk. Bring back all the school nurses. PLEASE open. Enable their parents to return to work.
- Stop with the daily TV updates from governors. We do not need grandstanding.
- Pay people to RETURN to work. I take no credit for this, it’s been proposed by a few congress people. On both sides.
- Volunteer! A brief commercial for KIM here…Our recruiting/retention and all-around amazing office resource spends many Fridays (using vacation time) to help out in her church’s food pantry. The long lines continue, her enthusiasm never wavers.
- Thank a teacher! They are heroes. Period.
- Please stop the violence! Gun deaths and gun sales are steadily increasing. As is use of illegal guns. This profoundly hurts low income minority people disproportionately.
- Stop watching network news. Any network. Read newspapers with different perspectives to access divergent points of view. We ask our caregivers to stop/minimize TV news watching by their clients. More Turner Classic movies, fewer nightmares.
- When a vaccine arrives, Take it. Unless contraindicated by your physician.
- Pay employees well. Provide hiring bonuses, retention bonuses. Appreciate your most important assets.
- Continue to support and volunteer with soup kitchens and food pantries. The poor, the near poor, the struggling, they all need food. For the long hall.
- Please Congress, both sides. Bring back the PPP!! (Payroll Protection Program.) And also provide First in Line status (and assistance in completing applications) to minority owned businesses destroyed in the national protests.
- Continue to Challenge the Data and demand transparency. Tell your representatives we have all had enough mistruths.
- Spend time Outdoors. Sunshine and fresh air are necessities in times like these
- Thank the Vendors. We have received enormous unexpected amounts of masks and face shields from vendors. Kim and her food pantry volunteers are recipients of donations of food from several area companies. Our sincere gratitude for all their contributions.
- Stay optimistic. Our country has endured far worse than this.
AND KEEP WASHING YOUR HANDS!!