Brave New World

“Oh brave new world, that has such people in it!” – William Shakespeare

Everywhere I look, I see heroes.

The medical people on the front lines. Battling the foe as best they can—as only they can—under-equipped, not nearly enough ammunition. Putting their lives on the line for their patients, whose numbers increase exponentially. Terrified they may bring this unrelenting virus home to their families. Saving lives, grieving when lives are lost. Exhausted. Some of the bravest people I’ve ever seen.

The people who valiantly work to keep society functioning. First responders. Linespeople who keep the electricity we so desperately need flowing. Media people, who try to keep us informed. More than a few now broadcasting from their homes. Pharmacy and grocery employees. Sanitation workers. Delivery people. Truck drivers. Restaurant employees. Those people who have been deigned not to be worth fifteen dollars an hour. People we all suddenly realize we couldn’t manage without.

Members of the military, called to do battle with an unseen enemy. A local Vietnam veteran, Jim Sargent, said it best: “Last year we Vietnam Veterans were honored at the Pocono Cinema in East Stroudsburg. This year I'm here in my own bunker (my house) watching, and trying to avoid the enemy. Vietnam vets aren't used to that, we are used to facing danger and taking on the foe and defeating our enemy. How times have changed, but still some feelings are the same, alone, not being with the ones you love, sometimes eating out of cans! just saying!!!”

Educators, who have learned how to provide classes/lessons on line with very little time for preparation. Kids, who are working hard to try and keep some semblance of “normalcy” in their lives in many ways. High school students, especially seniors, who have been forced by circumstances to forego the high school musical they’d been working so hard to present. Being unable to participate in spring sports programs. Seniors may not have that special moment of being handed a diploma. College students continuing their studies online, with no way of knowing when they will be able to return to their campus.

Parents and sometimes grandparents, who have in particular young children at home and work hard to keep them busy, entertained, and distracted. Family activities: thousand piece puzzles. I’m sure board games. Arts and crafts. Story time. Lesson time. If they can, outdoor activities—but only with the family.

Volunteers. Maybe thousands of people sewing masks for hospitals. Two local women, friends, who were costumers for shows I directed. Both of them have multiple doctors and nurses in their families. Both of them are also trained in the medical field, so they are acutely aware of the risks their family members take every day. People helping at food banks. People making sure school children still get their free breakfast and lunch. I’m sure many more that I don’t even know about.

Artists—musicians, actors, graphic artists, who post whatever they can to encourage and divert us. Friends locally: two wonderful men who have a piano and organ in their living room, giving us nightly devotionals of hymns. Pianists who post music they love, sometimes daily. Professional artists who give “living room concerts.” Professional organizations that have opened their treasure trove and offer free views of their work, such as the great Metropolitan Opera. The Vienna State Opera. Many others. Professional artists posting online performances. Some reading to kids. Offering whatever they can to help.

Our kind and generous friends and family who check in periodically to see if they can pick up grocery or other items for us, especially those of us seniors who are being urged to stay in as much as possible. Our social media friends, who post humor on Facebook or send us emails. Who encourage and reach out through that medium, letting us know they are thinking of us.

Sadly, there are those who continue to treat this worldwide pandemic with skepticism. Who don’t follow the requests/directives to “socially distance” themselves. Who blithely clean the shelves of items such as hand sanitizer and toilet paper, some with an eye to hoarding in order to sell for a profit. An American black market. A disgrace. Other egregious behavior, but I don’t want to dwell on that.

I wrote this to salute my friends, neighbors, members of my local and national, and even worldwide community, who are displaying all that is best about the human spirit.

My thanks to all of you. You give me hope.