In a world where conflict is common – between nations, political parties, economic classes, and individuals – the coronavirus, COVID-19, is bringing us together, from all walks of life and across the globe, united, to fight this common enemy.
It is becoming increasingly clear that unless we collectively take action, we may experience excessive casualties in this battle. This enemy endangers everyone, no matter where we live, how much money we have in the bank, or how we voted in the last election.
#TogetherApart means that in spite of social distancing, we must stand united against this common foe. There are many encouraging signs that we are joining this battle as individuals, communities, businesses, and nations.
5 weapons in the battle with COVID:
Five weapons, each beginning with the letter R, can and will help us successfully beat #COVID19:
The weapon of taking Responsibility:
When social distancing and stay-at-home orders feel like an infringement of our freedoms, rather than rebel, we can unselfishly accept our individual responsibility to stop the spread and flatten the curve. If we don’t, the death toll could be unimaginable.
The weapon of Rising to the Challenge:
Schools and organizations are finding new ways of operating. Schools are rising to the challenge with E-learning and delivering lunches to homebound students, churches are worshiping online, stores are delivering groceries and other goods, and telemedicine is replacing in-person appointments whenever feasible.
The weapon of Repurposing:
With shortages of essential equipment and supplies threatening our health and safety, businesses of all types are repurposing their goods and services: Distilleries making disinfectants, perfume companies making hand sanitizer, various industries making face masks, automakers making ventilators, hotels becoming quarantine centers.
The weapon of Research:
Defeating this foe will require the ongoing weapons of effective screening tests, preventive vaccines, and effective treatments. Discovering what tools work will require a concerted and collaborative effort of the worldwide research community. This is not the time to compete between countries but to work together for the global good.
The weapon of Reaching Out:
To accomplish these battle tactics requires that we keep lines of communication open. When we can’t congregate in person, we need to connect virtually – over the phone, text, via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, and more. We appear to be doing just that. According to ATT: Wireless voice minutes of use are up 41%, consumer home voice calling minutes are up 57%, and Wi-Fi calling minutes are up 105% compared to before the pandemic. (1)
When we all do our part, we will prevail.
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”
~ Helen Keller
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