A time to wind down and a time to wind it up

The long school year of 2020-2021 is coming to a close. Can we please take a moment to thank all of our teachers, administrators, coaches, maintenance crews, bus drivers, janitors, cooks, and all of those that worked and endured through the frustration of the COVID-19 pandemic. These folks go to work each day to ensure that our youth receive the education that they need for the future. Thank you!

There are so many people to thank as we begin the wind down process and start shifting back into a higher gear. Topping the list would be our health care workers who sacrificed much during the pandemic and are perhaps still in that mode. They gave up time with family and friends to ensure that those that needed care received that attention.

Our first responders are certainly high on the list along with our elected officials, their staff, and the local emergency management team. During the height of the pandemic their communication was rapid and concise, helping keep the people of Coshocton County informed of what was happening with COVID-19.

The folks that volunteered at the COVID-19 vaccine clinics, all of those that answered the phones to help those that wanted an appointment for the shot – the list can go on and on.

The simple fact is that it took lots and lots of people to help us get through this rough patch in our history. Could it happen again? Probably. Hopefully we will know more about ourselves and how to approach something of this magnitude. Of course, there will always be those that say things went too far, that it was not necessary to shut everything down, etc., etc. You get the idea.

The point is, we will not know what would have, or could have, happened. You can run all the models that you want, you can examine lots of data or listen to the pundits and their opinions. Regardless of your approach, it does not change the decisions that were made at the time nor does it change where we are right now. We’re all tired of wearing the masks and at least some of those restrictions have been lifted. We’re moving on.

But as we do that, let’s not forget those that lost their lives, and all of the families that lost loved ones to COVID-19. The pain, the loss and the absence of a loved one is all too real. It would be a good idea for all of us to reflect on the suffering that was experienced by so many in so many different ways.

I believe that everyone will handle the aftermath of the pandemic in different ways – for some it may be almost surreal, for others, they could find themselves in a state of weariness as the mind and body process what has been over a year of constant turmoil and stress. This could largely depend on your job or perhaps your own experience or that of your loved ones during the pandemic. Please continue to be cautious and be grateful for all of those that helped us through this crisis.

Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion