The whole world is reeling with the effects, aftermath and expectations of the future of COVID-19. Truly this is a new reality as we live and move by keeping our distance, wearing masks and washing our hands many times a day, never mind losing work and school as we know it. As well as church, sports, music, the arts and so much more.
As of Aug. 20 in the U.S., there were 5,565,928 total cases of COVID-19.
As of Aug. 20, this country had lost 174,051 people to the virus.
World War I fatalities were 116,516. World War II: 405,399, which we might reach before this is over. Korean War: 36,574. Vietnam War: 58,220.
If we presume there are 3,500 people in Eureka, the death toll would represent almost 50 towns of Eureka are gone, dead from the world. Fifty towns of us. Many of the dead are elderly, people of color, poor or compromised in some way — they are the elders, people of wisdom, story tellers, holders of time, parents and grandparents. Findings show that children and young people are not immune. This virus is real. Science and U.S. virus expert Dr. Anthony Fauci have told us for months how to keep this thing down.
When I see someone wearing a mask, it tells me that they care about others, that they take the virus seriously and are willing to do the very simple thing of keeping airborne particles contained when they speak or laugh. And when I wear one it is a sign of that, too, that I care about others and am glad to do my part to keep them and myself as safe as I know how.
Wearing a mask is very simply a sign and act of love in a broken and hurting world.
Pattiann Bennett
Eureka