What the Pandemic Has Taught Us

The pandemic has been hard on everyone. So many people have died. And those of us lucky enough to avoid getting the virus have had our lives turned upside down. As with any large-scale disaster, there have been those who have been taken advantage of by opportunists and the uninformed. And still, we have managed to come together to care for our neighbors, reach out to our friends and family members, and get on with living as best we can.

There are so many things we have learned from this crisis. From the first responders, who had to find and dispose of every dead body to the countless medical workers who had to give up their spare time to aid those stricken. The religious community that came out in force to give comfort and prayer to those in need. The first responders, not only the US military but from all over the world, who put themselves in harm’s way to help those who were stricken and risked their own health to do it. The emergency management personnel from all over the country and the world who stepped up to the plate to help people in dire need.

As devastating as this illness has been on so many people, there have been bright spots. Billions of dollars have been raised to support efforts to end the pandemic. The heroism of first responders and volunteers, the thousands who gave blood and countless people who stepped up to help, offer compassion and support have shown that our world can pull together in a way that we never thought possible. There have been far too many loved ones lost, too many lives ruined and too much suffering. As hard as it has been to cope, there are a lot of good things we can take from this.

We’ve learned the devastating effects of a deadly virus and a failed public health system. We have seen the incredible power of our public health systems in action, and we have been reminded of their limitations. Public health officials are great at planning but not so great at acting when the time comes. We’ve learned that, for better or worse, many people in this country trust public health officials with the health and safety of our families. We have seen how complex and demanding it is to keep the public safe.

We’ve learned that medical workers, first responders and volunteers are heroic and selfless in their efforts to care for others. We have learned that their heroic actions have saved countless lives.

We’ve learned that when disaster strikes, there is nothing more important than family. We have learned that the safety of our loved ones is the most important thing to us. Even more importantly, we have learned that family should include our pets, even if they are considered ‘cattle’. We have seen people who have had to leave their pets behind, who do not know if their animals are still alive or dead, or if their animals will survive the infection. We have seen that even after the tragedy, many of these families were willing to make the sacrifices it took to make sure their pets and other loved ones were as safe as possible.

We have learned how often we are our own worst enemy, and that our compassion is often misguided. We have seen that “it’s not my dog” can actually be true for some. We have learned that a death can tear a family apart, especially when the person dying was the heart and soul of the family.

We have learned that, although many are resistant to accepting help or concern from the public at large, they are grateful to us when it is offered. The kindness and support of strangers have allowed those who are suffering to continue to maintain some hope.

There have been many setbacks. The healthcare system has been overwhelmed by the demand for resources. For too many, they have lost loved ones and their homes. The response to the virus has been slow and at times inadequate. The devastation has been great, but we have all learned from it. We have learned that we are stronger than the virus, that our health care system works when needed, and that we can band together to care for each other. We have learned to be thankful for what we have and what we have lost. We have been reminded that we are capable of greatness.

It’s been a long, terrible, scary and hopeful couple of years, and I think it’s been worth it. We’ve learned much, but perhaps the most important thing we’ve learned is this: We are strong enough to keep our world moving forward, and that, sometimes, the world can move forward faster than we can imagine.

Photo by Vladimir Fedotov on Unsplash