I want to express gratitude to the majority of my fellow Peninsulans who do what Peninsulans do so well: look out for each other.
During a pandemic, it’s beyond stressful to shop for ourselves and/or for those too vulnerable to shop right now.
There is no knowing who has pre-existing conditions and who doesn’t.
Who’s returning home to a newborn or an elder and who isn’t.
Those observing 6-foot circumferences around everyone else are saving both lives and the quality of those lives.
Contracting this virus means experiencing considerable misery with a chance of permanent physical damage as well as a chance of painful and solitary death, putting the health and lives of loved ones at risk, and risking the health and lives of essential workers (who are always essential), from healthcare to retail to delivery to repair and more.
It is a heartwarming act of self-awareness, other-awareness, community, and caring to exercise caution right now.
And appreciated.
I recognize and feel the price of extreme cautions: it’s sad. As someone who loves nothing more than to stand and chat with anyone who will let her, to listen to people’s stories, to shake a hand or share a hug, the need for distance is profoundly sad.
But our community would be so much sadder, grieving such serious and lasting losses if we don’t do it.
We’re not as isolated from the world as we think.
So, thank you.
Mylee Khristoforov
Port Angeles