Thank You….For Saving My Life
I am one of the people you are protecting.
Social Distancing, flattening the curve, community spread. All of these things are now common, everyday terms. At this point, you a likely tired of hearing them. As a matter of fact, I know you are. I’ve been listening to people on social media.
“Not happy about them cancelling because people have the sniffles”
“I just think it’s a flu. We didn’t shut down for that.”
“I’m young and healthy, I’m not worried.”
Well, I am. I’m a 41 year-old woman, so not technically elderly, but I am firmly in what doctors are calling high risk. I have chronic, severe asthma. I get pneumonia every few years. Outside I look healthy, so people say a lot of things around me. When they cavalierly say that this affects only the old and sick, the often don’t realize they are talking about me. The worst comment, “well this will be natural selection at work…killing off the old and weak. It’s survival of the fittest.” They don’t realize. I look fine.
Rather than focus on these folks, who are still defying orders and going out to places, or those who still believe this is a hoax; I’d like to stay thank you instead.
Thank you to those who have to risk their livelihoods for me and my family. I know that this risks your income and stability.
When you see me, maybe from a front yard, or a car window, and I wave and smile at you whole-hardheartedly it is because you, and your sacrifices are saving my life.
Thank you to those who are understanding when we turn down play dates and in person meetings even at other people’s houses. I am lucky to have flexible friends.
Thank you to the workplaces and schools that are allowing us to work from home, and don’t have to choose between work and health.
Thank you to the people who are coughing and sneezing into their sleeves and keeping healthy distance, even if they are pretty sure it’s just allergies.
Thank you to the students who are sacrificing their classes, plays, proms, graduations, and once-in-a-lifetime events. I know these are things that you will carry with you.
Thank you to those who have postponed vacations. I know that time away is precious.
And most of all, Thank you to those who are only buying what you need, and leaving toilet paper and other essentials to people who need them.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. These sacrifices are literally life savers.
We can debate about how we got here later. Once this storm has passed we should look at our health care system, hospital capacity, universal health care and basic income and our reliance on the market for our stability. Those are arguments for another day. Until then, when you see me, maybe from a front yard, or a car window, and I wave and smile at you whole-hardheartedly it is because you, and your sacrifices are saving my life. You are making sure my students have a teacher at the end of this crisis. You are ensuring my daughter has a healthy mother to puzzle through take home worksheets. You are making it so that when this passes, I come out the other side with you.
I truly believe that this crisis has the potential to bring out the best of us. To remind us that community is important. To remind us of the vital roles our schools, hospitals, and public services play in our lives, and to remind us that we are only as strong as the weakest among us.
From the bottom of my soul, thank you.
