David Jenkins: Everyone’s sacrifices will help with moving forward

As the coronavirus continues to creep into our area and impact our everyday lives, we are left looking for a model of how we act and react.

Americans have lived through tough times through history but for many alive today, our tough times have been limited. None of us have ever lived through anything like this. We’ve lived through 9/11, we have lived through hurricanes and tornadoes and we have lived through more than one financial crisis. But nothing like this.

Schools across the country are closed. People are staying home. Businesses are closed and no telling how many won’t be able to reopen, with that number growing with each additional day this pandemic continues.

With possibly millions across the country losing their jobs, people are beginning to get anxious and are on edge. Each day this continues we worry more and more.

Our leaders are no more prepared for this than we as individuals are. They are coming up with plans to help the economy during this scary time while also trying to navigate the nation’s health. Sometimes the solution may be worse than the problem, but the problem is before us and must be dealt with first.

And in order to deal with the problem we must sacrifice. We are already sacrificing the life we knew. We can’t go to the gym or out to the movies. We can’t go to the local bar and have a drink or sit in a restaurant and eat with family or friends. But that is just the tip of the iceberg of the sacrifices we are going to have to make.

The sacrifices we make to get through this are going to have to be bigger. We have been advised to stay home and not gather in groups of more than 10 people. But already the city had to close the basketball courts at city parks because people aren’t heeding the warnings. Some are still getting out and driving here and there without reason to be out. People are still trekking to work because they to make a living.

In order to make it through this pandemic we are going to have to sacrifice visiting friends and family. That can be hard because we are used to leaning on those friends and family during challenging times. Right now, nurses and those in health care are already sacrificing, not just with the great work they are doing, but instead of going home they are staying in a hotel so as not to infect family.

We are sacrificing our children’s education and may have to give up the rest of the school year. Parents are having to sacrifice their time to teach their students at home. High school seniors may miss out on lifelong memories like prom and graduation.

Some are going to have to sacrifice going to work and getting a paycheck. Even with the rescue package that is being passed by the legislature, that may not be enough to get everyone through this financially. Who knows how many businesses will close or how many people will be out of a job.

Those who have more are going to have to recognize and help those who have less. We need to shop locally and help our small businesses instead of just getting on Amazon and getting the best deal.

One thing that has always been a constant in this country though is our resiliency. Whether it be getting through a war, natural disaster or bad economic times, we always persevere. We may be in unknown territory but the sacrifices we make will be what shape us moving forward.

David Jenkins is co-editor of the Standard Democrat.