Our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents lived through the Great Depression and World War II. They experienced the long haul of uncertainty, fear, rationing, loss of loved ones, and so much more, but they persevered.
We are now in our own time of uncertainty, fear, and loss. We have the tools to shorten the time until we right the ship if only we can decide to do what is needed: wear masks (to protect ourselves and those we encounter), socially distance, and forego, for now, the desire to assemble in groups, large and small, especially now as colder weather will take us indoors.
We can do this! The tools and ingenuity we possess to stay in touch, to move about safely, to limit our interactions with others until we have brought COVID-19 under control, are at our disposal. Together, acting responsibly, we can shorten the time needed to harness this beast of a novel coronavirus.
We can follow the science and listen to the experts who have spent years studying viruses and their spread. Eventually, they will teach us what we have yet to learn about this virus. It is called “novel” for a reason.
Let’s gear up for what is needed to turn the long haul into the short haul. This is what we all desire, and we can do it. We must do it.
ELIZABETH GILMORE
Hopkinton